Weekend Adventures: Birmingham Vulcan Statue

*DISCLAIMER: This trip was taken back in February*
I love exploring and checking out new places.  We recently played tourist and visited the Vulcan Statue and Museum, something I have wanted to do for a while.

It was my birthday weekend and we just decided to finally make it happen.

We toured the museum and learned all about the history of Birmingham.  With rich coal, limestone and ore deposits this lead Alabama to be the nation's fourth-highest producer of iron and steel in the 1880's.  This lead to a rapid expand of the city of Birmingham.

We then climbed up to the top of the Vulcan Statue (and by climbed I mean we rode the elevator).  

 This statue is a whopping 56-foot, 60-tons and is the largest iron figure ever cast.  At the time is was made it was the biggest statue created in the US, and second-tallest in the country (right behind the Statue of Liberty).  It was made for the 1904 World's Fair and cast with iron made from ore mined at Red Mountain (where the park is now).

 Alright y'all here's a secret, I was scared to death once we got up there.  We stepped out of the elevator and I immediately wanted to go back down.  Don't get me wrong, the view was great but the fact that I could see the ground through the grates in the floor felt a little too unsteady for me.

Once we got back on land we walked around the park area (which was lovely).

If you are in the area it is definitely worth a visit.  It is free to walk around the park but you do have to pay to go to the museum and go up on the statue.  Tickets are $6 per adult and $4 for children but if you are a AAA member you get 20% off.

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Birthday Celebrations

 

Yes the rumors are true, I turned 30 ;)  I'll be honest I wasn't too excited about it, I've gotten used to it now and am excited to welcome a new decade of my life.  Here's to 30!

 My birthday was on a Wednesday so celebrations started then and pretty much just continued to the weekend.  I thought I would share all the happenings:

First off I was surprised at work with a bouquet of beautiful flowers, cupcakes and balloons!   

Are these flowers not the prettiest?!?

On my birthday night Kyle and I grabbed dinner at one of those create your own pizza places (so good!)  We also stopped by the new Nothing Bundt Cakes and picked up some.  He got the White Chocolate Raspberry which was delicious and I got my old standby Confetti which was delicious as well!  This was our first time trying them before and we were both surprised by how moist and delicious they were!  Highly recommend checking them out, also the bundlets are pretty big.

Of course I got my birthday Starbucks drink.  I went with my favorite Coconut milk Mocha Macchiatto.  I also had a free pastry from Panera and got the almond croissant that was AMAZING!
I've also got a post coming up with info on ALL the freebies you can get for your birthday!

I was definitely spoiled by my family and friends with all the sweet cards and gifts. 

For a couple of years now Kyle has been taking me shopping for my birthday.  We make a day out of it and really enjoy the time together.

This year we started off with Frutta Bowls!  We are both obsessed with these things, if you haven't tried one they are so delicious!!

I have been wanting to check out the Vulcan Statue and Museum for a while now and we finally made it.  I've got a blog post coming with more info on our experience, be on the lookout!  

We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping around.  How pretty are these Anthropologie mugs?  I love looking around that store but the prices are a little steep for me. 

You know I stumbled on some deals.  Forever21 was having a crazy clearance sale and I found a pair of overalls and this really pretty tropical maxi dress for $3 each. 

We ended the night with dinner at The Cheesecake Factory.  It was a pretty long wait but look at that cheesecake!

Thanks to everyone for all the sweet birthday wishes, gifts and  making my day special!  I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.

Instagram Roundup

Next week is Thanksgiving y'all...can you believe it???  November is seriously FLYING by!
This week was packed full, but good.  Lots going on at work and trying to keep the house running.  This weekend was busy but full of new things.  I had a really fun church activity that you can see more about below.  We went to a different church service.  I also put up the Christmas decorations, well pretty much everything except the tree.

With this chilly weather I have been pulling out my favorite boots.  They are an old style from Target last year but they brought them back again!  Don't miss out on them!!

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I love a moto jacket, this super soft faux suede one from Peach is a go-to in my closet for sure.

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I have been wanting to learn how to make these wreaths for years!  Our church women's group decided to have a class making them.  It was actually not too difficult just time consuming.  I can't wait to hang mine up!  Waiting until after Christmas so my neighbors don't think I'm that crazy Christmas lady...

We tried something different this past Sunday and went to a church service at a new church.  This is a much larger church and they have a special series going on where they take movies and relate them to scripture.  This service showed bits of the movie Moneyball it was really interesting.  They went ALL out and even had popcorn it was so cute!

Sunday well spent with a great service, trying out lunch at a new restaurant and getting life ready for the new week.
Also The Crown came back on Netflix and y'all I'm a little embarrassed by how much I have watched...

That wraps up my Instagram Roundup, if you aren't already make sure you follow me on instagram to keep up.

Instagram Roundup

Instagram Roundup coming at you!  This past week flew by, both of us very busy with work and general life.  We are getting ready for a wedding later in the month and enjoying the cooler weather. 

I picked up these three blouses on major clearance at Walmart and I'm in love!!  They are giving me major Free People vibes.  

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In case you missed it I talked about the mission behind my new favorite necklace, click here to read about it.

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One of my clearance finds in action.  I think this floral piece is going to be perfect for layering this fall!  I paired this one with my new favorite faux suede moto jacket from Peach!

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In case any of you were wondering yes I am still missing the fair...

We are finally getting some cooler weather and I can't wait to pull out these wedge boots from BearPaw!!

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That's a wrap for the recap, let me know what y'all have going on!

Instagram Roundup

 

Happy Monday!  Here's a having a great week.  We had a really great weekend with a country concert, a little shopping, and catching up on Big Brother.

I'm a big fan of a maxi dress.  If you haven't tried it out yet go!  I am pretty short (5'2"ish) and I always thought I couldn't wear maxi dresses, you just have to find the right length.  This striped dress from Peach is so comfy, I knotted it up for a more casual vibe.

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Flashback to our Disney trip a few months ago.  If you are in Disney make sure you stop in the Polynesian and walk around that place is GORGEOUS!!  Also can we talk about this top, it's on a pretty great sale right now and you definitely need it. 

My look from the Brad Paisley concert.  I finally got to take my vintage Dooney out for a spin.  Y'all I have wanted this western Dooney and Bourke bag for years and I finally found it on poshmark for a steal!  More about the concert coming later this week!

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Can't stop won't stop with these cute country music tees.  I love the vintage feel they give to a look.

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Last thing I wanted to leave you with this bible verse from 1 Samuel.  I think it is so important to remember that we don't see everything and we can't know everything about people.  Just the same that people don't see everything about us and they don't know everything.  God is the only one who knows every little thing about us, important or not He knows it all.  He doesn't just see the outside He knows our whole heart.  What a comfort to know that even through knowing us to our core God still loves us, good, bad and ugly He loves us through it all.  What a blessing!

Hope y'all have a great week!