Cassie Bustamante

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The Views Along My Way: Snippets from a Fabulous Weekend!

July 2, 2013 by Cassie 35 Comments

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As you may recall, I spent my weekend in Atlanta, with Kelly from View Along the Way, and her adorable family!  I cannot say enough wonderful things about all of them….. Kelly is gracious, funny, stylish, and a fabulous mama to her babies.  Andy, her husband, was warm and welcoming and the perfect match for Kelly.  And their kids…. OH my goodness!  How adorable they are!!!  Mila is a sweet baby girl who is quick to smile, and Weston is an awesome 3 year old- I loved hearing the workings of his inner mind.  They are both wonderfully well-adjusted and behaved children, and clearly the product of fabulous parents.  Anyhow, I thought I would give you all a little play by play of the Bustamante 3 trip to Knoxville and Atlanta!  (We are the Bustamante 3 because Chris had to stay  behind.

So enjoy the view along our way, as we travelled and took those locations by storm!

Thursday morning, we packed up the car, and the kids gathered their favorite belongings.  Sawyer needed his cowboy bandana, of course.

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7.5 hours later, we arrived in Knoxville, and I was so exhausted I fell asleep at 8:30 that night, and let my inlaws put the kids to bed.  Thanks, Pam!

Friday morning, I woke up early and headed out for a little run on Cherokee Blvd.  Here was my morning view….

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I showered, packed up, and hopped back in the car, prepared to be in the car for 3 more hours.  3 more hours without anyone else in the car frankly, is nice and relaxing!  I did a lot of thinking.  And singing really loudly.

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Meanwhile, as I was starting my drive, the kids were having a blast with Gram Pam at Dollywood!  Riding rides…

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And having their faces painted, which was slightly washed off by water rides…

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I arrived safely at Kelly’s home, and did what I came to do.  I had my picture taken just like Kelly in her laundry room.  Except I didn’t have anyone to style me, or do my makeup.  And it was just taken with my phone and not by a Better Homes and Gardens photographer.  But still.  My picture….

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Kelly’s picture:
Laundry room at View Along the Way from Better Homes & GardensPin

Pretty much exactly the same picture, huh?
Friday evening, we chilled at her house, chatted, drank wine, and watched Les Miserables, which was super long and had no intermission.  I added my own ten minute nap time though.  We were both pretty excited to see it, but it just didn’t live up to our expectations.
After a great night of sleep, we headed out to some yard sales.  Not much to be found, but here are some of my treasures,  Brass deer.  Need I say more?
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We came home for lunch and noticed how nicely my shoes complement Kelly’s foyer rug, which I am not sure I am allowed to share.  uh-oh!  And that sweet dog is Marley.  I love me some Marley!

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Saturday afternoon we headed to the mall and to the container store, and I spied these measuring cups.  I used my powers of restraint not to buy them, but I think they would be perfect on my soon to be open shelving.

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After some shopping we met up with a fabulous group of bloggers at Seasons 52 for dinner and drinks. We had an amazing time chatting, laughing, eating, drinking, and having dessert! 🙂  (I’ll share who all was there in a later shot).

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Meanwhile in Knoxville, the kiddos were having ice cream cookie sandwiches!

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Kelly and I took the chance to snap a photo of the two of us together.

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Here’s a whole group selfie!  We had the valet driver take a photo, too, but apparently he doesn’t know how to zoom.  Or walk closer.  From left to right….
Heidi of Decor and More, Me, Kelly of View Along the Way, Kathleen from Between Blue and Yellow (in the front), Michelle of Ten June (behind Kathleen), and Lisa from Before Meets After.

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Those girls are all so sweet and down to earth!  We all had a blast and we decided that my Atlanta trip would become an annual one! WAHOO!  Atlanta or bust in 2014!!!!

Sunday morning, Kelly introduced my to insanity.  I knew she was currently following the program, so I offered to do it with her.  It was intense, but awesome!  Here we are post-insanity.

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After that we showered and had lunch, and I created a smiley face sandwich for Weston.  Ok, it was for me.

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After lunch, it was nap time for her kiddos, and hit the road time for me.  Back to Knoxville I headed where I bestowed my children with yard sale gifts… Star Wars set for Sawyer, and a Jasmine costume for Emmy.

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We played, relaxed, had dinner, caught fireflies, and went to bed to prepare for our journey home.
The kids were thrilled because on the way there I had packed them lunch, but on the way home, I let them stop and have lunch at Wendy’s.  We Bustamantes are pretty easy to please….

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And the trip home took less time…. We were home in 7 hours!

I can’t say enough good things about our trip…. We all had a great time!  I feel very refreshed and re-energized about this old blog, too, and have some fun ideas brewing!  Stay tuned.
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Comments

  1. Restyled Vintage says

    July 2, 2013 at 10:23 am

    Looks like an awesome time was had by all Cassie! Love the Jasmine costume for Emmy, how cute 🙂 Love the laundry shot, even the yellow towels got stacked the same, haha!

    Those tomato sauce (ketchup?) pots look huge, maybe it’s the photo angle?

    xx Karen

    Reply
  2. Laura @ Top This Top That says

    July 2, 2013 at 11:24 am

    looks like an amazing time. I wish i knew you girls were getting together. count me in for the 2014 shindig!

    Reply
  3. [email protected] says

    July 2, 2013 at 11:29 am

    That sounds perfect 🙂 So glad you girls had so much fun 😉 xo K

    Reply
  4. Andrea says

    July 2, 2013 at 11:47 am

    What a great trip. It’s easy to relax and enjoy yourself when you know your kids are being well taken care of. Love that picture of you in Kelly’s laundry room!

    Reply
  5. Kelly @ A Swell Place to Dwell says

    July 2, 2013 at 12:14 pm

    Looks like such a fun trip! How fun that you are able to meet other bloggers in real life!

    Reply
  6. Between Blue and Yellow says

    July 2, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    Great recap! Had so much fun Sat night, so happy to have seen you 🙂

    Reply
  7. [email protected] says

    July 2, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    Cassie, looks like you had a great time! I really like the folk art paintings you found at the yard sale! I love that big yellow foreground.

    Reply
  8. Julia Konya says

    July 2, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    What an awesome time. Love the title of your post and how you even placed the yellow towels on the same spot. Guess what? I have the matching salt and pepper shakers to those measuring cups.

    Reply
  9. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    July 2, 2013 at 12:45 pm

    Sounds like an awesome roadtrip! And how fun to hang out with such a great group of girls!

    Reply
  10. [email protected] says

    July 2, 2013 at 1:15 pm

    Looks like a GREAT trip! My husband and I lived in Knoxville for 5 years when we first got married. It is such a beautiful place! Life to the full! Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle

    Reply
  11. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    July 2, 2013 at 1:20 pm

    Yay — so much fun!! I love the pics of your kiddos living it up with the grandparents! Loved seeing you — maybe we need to road trip YOUR way, too?? 😉
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  12. Erin @ His and Hers says

    July 2, 2013 at 1:26 pm

    SO fun! Les Mis the movie didn’t live up to my expectations, either, and I was so excited for it. 🙁 The cast and singing just didn’t do it for me. Now, the 25th anniversary version, on the other hand….I could watch that every week. (Minus Nick Jonas.)

    Reply
  13. [email protected] says

    July 2, 2013 at 1:27 pm

    what a fun trip and to have met Kelly and those really nice ladies too! 🙂

    Reply
  14. cindy the cottage chick says

    July 2, 2013 at 1:30 pm

    I can tell you had a super fun time…was following along on facebook 🙂 So great to meet other bloggers!

    Reply
  15. The Painted Drawer says

    July 2, 2013 at 1:45 pm

    What a great weekend! Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow 🙂

    Reply
  16. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says

    July 2, 2013 at 1:57 pm

    Such a fun recap!! And I totally mistook that pic of you in the laundry room as the one I saw in the mag. Eerily identical!

    Reply
  17. Jesse Bodine says

    July 2, 2013 at 2:56 pm

    Looks like you guys had an amazing time!!! How fun!!! And isn’t it the best time when you know that your children are having the best time, too! Love that!

    Reply
  18. Bliss says

    July 2, 2013 at 3:58 pm

    Ok, just so you know, later today I’m updating that bathroom post with Kelly’s picture and putting your laundry-room-photo-knock off- picture on there too.

    And inquiring minds need to know… how’s Andy?
    Bliss

    Reply
  19. Ali Richardson says

    July 2, 2013 at 4:44 pm

    YAY! It looks like you all had a fabulous time! I miss you sooooo much, hurry up September! xo

    Reply
  20. Dear Emmeline says

    July 2, 2013 at 4:53 pm

    glad you had a great time!

    Reply
  21. The Bold Abode says

    July 2, 2013 at 6:16 pm

    Looks as if you had a non-stop par-tay! It is definitely good to get away every now and then… and with such a wonderful woman! Love me some Kelly VATW!!!

    Reply
  22. Blondie's Journal says

    July 2, 2013 at 9:03 pm

    What a great trip for all! I recognized the picture of Kelly in her laundry from from the magazine! I have to visit her blog. What a great group of girls, it all looked like so much fun! 🙂

    XO,
    Jane

    Reply
  23. Kelly says

    July 2, 2013 at 11:57 pm

    THANK YOOOOU!

    1. For the nice words.
    2. For coming all the way here!
    3. For the peanut-butter sandwich smile for Weston
    4. For the laugh at how strangely similar our laundry room photos are. (SO weird! We didn’t even try that hard..?)
    5. For the definite commitment to this annual trip which I will never let you out of, ever.

    But NO thank you for sharing that crazy post-insanity photo. hahaha! Best weekend ever!

    Reply
  24. Renee says

    July 3, 2013 at 12:55 am

    Sounds like you had some great fun! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  25. Chelsea @ two twenty one says

    July 3, 2013 at 1:46 am

    Sounds like a blast! I must say, true friendship is doing the Insanity workout together.

    Reply
  26. Dana Frieling says

    July 3, 2013 at 3:09 am

    Your laundry room pic cracks me up. You’re too funny! Glad you had a great trip.

    Reply
  27. Michelle @ Ten June says

    July 3, 2013 at 2:17 pm

    Had so much fun with you and all the gals Saturday night! If only you lived closer so we could make it a regular meet up! I guess I’ll settle for annual : ) xoxo

    Reply
  28. [email protected] says

    July 3, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    Looks like a blast! How fun! 🙂

    Reply
  29. Gretchen says

    July 3, 2013 at 6:49 pm

    So fun! I saw your brass deer when kelly posted them on….facebook, I think? jealous!

    Reply
  30. Michelle Scheibe says

    July 3, 2013 at 9:53 pm

    Sounds like a super fun trip. Minus the whole Insanity thing. That’s insane. Your BHG photo is spot on. Good work.

    Reply
  31. Amber Wills says

    July 4, 2013 at 6:43 pm

    I’m so jealous! It looks like a ton of fun!

    Reply
  32. Sabrina says

    July 16, 2013 at 7:25 pm

    I’m so jealous you got to sit in that fabulous laundry room!!! So gorgeous!

    Reply
  33. Maury @ Life on Mars says

    July 19, 2013 at 2:37 am

    so fun! What a great weekend. What a great group of girls!

    Reply
  34. Julie of www.NeatAndPretty.com says

    July 20, 2013 at 1:54 pm

    Fun trip…can you find out where kelly got her light fixture in her laundry room?

    Reply
  35. Carrie says

    August 6, 2013 at 8:26 pm

    You need one of Kelly’s ‘NAILED IT!’ logos on your BHG photo. I think it’s IDENTICAL. 😉 Looks like you had a great time and I’m envious she got to hang out with you for sure!

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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