Atlanta Recap

We went to Atlanta with our friends John and Marcia this weekend and had the best time. We went to the Cardinals game. It was a tough loss, but we still had a great time. This was my first ever pro baseball game.

 

It was fun seeing other Cardinals fans in Atlanta for the game. Nick is wearing the jersey I got him for his birthday this year.

 

 

After the game we went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. I still cannot believe the display of anger and violence that we saw there. A woman tried to run over me and Marcia in the parking lot. Marcia actually had to jump out of the way. We screamed and the woman unrolled her window and said, "Yes B* I will run you over if you don't move your @$$."

 

When we got inside we told the guys, as the woman came in behind us. The men went up to her and asked her why she tried to hit us. She flipped out, acted like she wanted to fight me and Marica, and called the manager over and kept threatening to "call the poh-lice." I was dying to tell her the word police isn't pronounced that way. I don't think I have ever seen such a hostile person in my life, but I'm sure she'll be (back) in jail soon if she goes around trying to commit vehicular homicide and fight people in parking lots. This is the second time I've had someone act like they want to fight me. The first story is here. I don't promote violence and I'm not really sure what is wrong with people, y'all. Not only was this woman acting like this in a restaurant, but she had her child with her!

 

Where was Ashlee Wilson-Hawn from Big Rich Atlanta when I needed her?

 

I hope y'all have a good Monday! I am having company from Germany tonight so I am looking forward to that.





Fall Wish List

Last year at the beginning of the fall semester I let myself have a big {for me} splurge. I decided from now on, once a year I will treat myself to a big "want." Obviously I have my wedding dress purchase coming up, but I work hard at my job, and I still want my annual treat. Last year I got a Burberry scarf. I had wanted one for years and could never justify the expense {or afford one at my old job}.

 

I have no buyer's remorse and I love my scarf. Although I will say it might have been a better choice to have bought a cotton scarf instead of cashmere. It is only really cold enough for a cashmere scarf in January and February in SC {if ever}. This was at a football game in November, and I had to take it off because I was burning up. The cashmere feels like heaven though, so I'm really not sorry.

 

I have to say I am pretty pleased with myself because my Wish List for this year is all practical stuff, and I can probably buy a good bit of it for what I spent on the scarf. Sounds like a win/win situation to me.

 

Hunter Boots

 

So it's not exactly like I live in Chicago and have to walk to work in the snow, but I still think these will be super useful and I hear that they last forever. I love this color (Merlot), its very appropriate for a Gamecock like myself.

 

North Face Jacket 

My casual jacket is basically a North Face knock off from Dover Saddlery, and I've had it since college so I think last winter was it's last.

 

Lululemon workout/yoga plants

 

 

I want to see if they are really as great as everyone says. I will never buy VS yoga pants again, they stretch out, fade, and pill.

 

My only other want is more Pure Barre classes. I'm currently out and dreading the price tag of purchasing more. They are so worth it though, and I want to look my best for my wedding. I will pull the trigger on getting more soon.

 

Do you have a Fall Wish List? What are some of your favorite indulgences? 



Did I just get stereotyped?

Recently I was in my yoga clothes going into my Pure Barre studio for a class. A new pizza place is next door to Pure Barre, although I haven't been yet for obvious reasons (calories). As I was walking past the pizza restaurant, a man who I assume is the owner opened the door and asked if he could ask me a question. It caught me a little off guard, but I said sure. He asked if I drink Fiji bottled water.

 

I said that I don't buy bottled water as often now that I got a plastic/chemical free water bottle to carry, but that when I do buy bottled water I usually get Fiji.

 

He said he was thinking of getting it to sell to Pure Barre clients. I briefly wondered how he guessed that I like Fiji bottled water. And then I realized, I was just totally stereotyped.

 

 

Happy Hump Day everyone!!

Big Birthday Weekend Recap!

My twenty ninth birthday might be the best one I have had yet!

 

Friday Nick sent me an Edible Arrangement at work. The card that came with it said to be ready for a special night. We went to CJ's for a few drinks, and then dinner at Saluda's. Dinner was AMAZING. I also got a gift certificate for a spa day that I cannot wait to use.

 

Saturday Yadi graduated from Obedience I at his dog school. After his class was over we headed upstate to my Grandparents house. This is the adorable cake my Mom made me.

 

 

After cake we went to the Islander {restaurant I used to work at} and met up with friends there.

 

 

I am having a very hard time getting into the swing of things at work after a fun weekend. Can it just be 5:00 already?

 

I hope all of you are having a good Monday!

 





My Last Birthday in My Twenties!

Happy Friday everyone! Today is my 29th birthday.

 

I started the day by blowing off the gym and getting in some extra cuddles with Trinket.

 

I went into work late and made a Target stop on my way in. This is my birthday gift to myself. I LOVE Lauren Weisberger books and can't wait to start this one. Its the sequel to one of my favorite books (and movies) The Devil Wears Prada. If you are looking for a good book to read, I also love Chasing Harry Winston.

 

Tomorrow we will be celebrating my birthday at the restaurant I used to work at, The Islander in Pendleton, SC. That is where I rang in my 19th birthday ten years ago. Hard to believe its been that long!

 

 I don't feel much older than 19 physically. Mentally I do feel different, but it is a good difference. Overall, I'm not sad that this is my last year in my twenties. So far, the late twenties rock compared to early and mid twenties. I feel much more sure of myself, what I'm doing, and my thoughts and plans for the future. I hear great things about the 30s.

 

Have a wonderful weekend! 





Shorts!

This probably won't mean anything to anyone who isn't me, but I am wearing shorts again! Not counting wearing Norts to the gym, I haven't worn shorts in two years. The last time I felt comfortable wearing shorts out, as in out to dinner or something, was when I first met Nick in 2011.

 

Last summer I couldn't wear any of my shorts because I put on weight and they didn't fit. I had one pair of shorts I bought that were J Crew chinos and they were too big and incredibly unflattering. They made me look bigger than I was. I usually like J Crew, but these were the ugliest shorts known to man. Nick knows nothing about fashion and he said they made him think of a man's shorts.

 

Recently I went to Express and got two pairs of smaller shorts and I cannot wait to wear them! I also finally got up the nerve to wear white shorts again. I had been afraid I was too big to wear white shorts. The last pair of white shorts I owned met a very unfortunate end on my friend Stacy's wedding night. It involved us laying on the bed in her hotel while her husband and Nick goofed off with some other guys, and stuffing our faces with chocolate covered strawberries. At least it was my shorts that were stained and not her wedding dress.

 

Overall I am down about 7/8 pounds and I plan on keeping it up.

 

 

I think my shorts big debut might be this weekend.

 

 

What do you ladies wear with shorts when you go out?

 



Getting Ready for Back to School

Growing up getting school supplies at the end of the summer was always a big excitement for me. I guess some things do not change, because I still love school supplies. My bridesmaid Jessie has always loved school supplies too, and so it is very fitting that she grew up to be a teacher!

 

Today I ordered my first Lilly Pulitzer agenda. I went ahead and went with the jumbo size so I'll have plenty of room to write out my assignments (and jot down wedding stuff). I ordered the Lucky Charms print.

 

Since I am a working adult, I find it helpful to plan my evenings in advance and schedule myself time to study. I look at when the tests are first, then break up the material by day so I am on track to study everything and review before the tests. I was never this organized in undergrad, but then I didn't have other obligations to juggle.

 

What are your favorite back to school supplies?

TGIF and Big Pageant Weekend

This has been a long week and I am happy Friday is here.

 

This is a big pageant weekend in the Miss America system (Miss Mississippi and Miss South Carolina) and I plan on live streaming as much as I can.

 

Since I am on the committee for a prelim that has five girls in Miss SC this week, and it is held right here in my town, I really need to be there. However I just cannot justify shelling out the $$ for tickets when I have so many expenses for my wedding. I am just going to skip this year and watch online.

 

I know several of the girls in Miss SC and so many are such sweet and talented girls that I cannot even begin to make a prediction there. The competition will be really fierce.

 

Miss Mississippi is this weekend and I do have a pick for that! Breanne Ponder is my pick. I called that she would be top 10 when she was in Miss USA in 2010 and I think she may win Miss Mississippi and go on to Miss America this year.  

 

HOLY abs!! She is already a preliminary swimsuit winner. Like me, she is a former Watermelon Queen. Out of all the pageants I ever did, my Watermelon Queen title was my favorite and the most fun pageant I ever competed in.

 

I am here to tell you-I am GOING to get my pageant body back for my wedding!! I am down to 144 and I am determined to see the 130s again.

 

I hope everyone has a great weekend and good luck to all the ladies competing in pageants!! 



A birthday and a workout!

Happy birthday to my favorite celebrity Jessica Simpson!

 

 

I've loved Jess ever since Newlyweds was on tv. I think one of the reasons I like her so much is because I am a person who frequently puts her foot in her mouth, and Jessica says all sorts of unexpected things too!

 

I found this years ago on the internet and used to do it when I did pageants. Supposedly this is JS's Daisy Duke workout. I am not sure if that is legit or not, but its a really good workout either way. I don't workout at home anymore, and this is not really convenient to do in my gym, so I haven't done it in years. When I did do it, I would go to the gym at the apartment complex where I lived early in the morning or late at night so I would have the room and privacy to do it. I think I might be about to get an elliptical for home, and if I do I will definitely be doing this again.

 

 

JESSICA SIMPSON WORKOUT

• 10 min treadmill warm up (walk to jog)
• 2 or 3 x 20 reps dumbell rows in squat position
• 2/3 x 20 reps squats
• 2/3 x 20 reps lying dumbell tricep extensions
• 3 x 12 reps reverse lunges (per leg)
• 8 min treadmill run
• 3 x 18 reps bicep curls in lunge position (per leg)
• 3 x 18 reps lateral raise in lunge position (per leg)
• 8 min treadmill run
• 20 x incline crunches
• 3 x 18 reps prone kneeling leg extensions (per leg)
• 3 x 15 reps forward lunges (per leg)
• 8 min treadmill cool down (jog to walk)
Yay for Hump Day!!



You Know What I Love?

OK, I love a lot of things. My fiancé, puppies, stupid reality TV shows...but what I want to say today is that I LOVE good customer service.

 

It seems like it is all too rare these days, and that makes me appreciate it even more when I happen to come across it.

 

The official MLB store is the bomb dot com!

 

I ordered Nick's birthday gift from there and received an email that it was on backorder. I called the store's customer service line and explained that it was a birthday gift and they were able to get me one in time.

 

Unfortunately when Nick opened it Sunday and tried it on it was too small (he told me what size to order but it didn't fit well). I called them back today and again explained that it was a birthday gift, and that we are seeing the Cardinals in Atlanta in two weeks and he would like it for the trip and BOOM. A new one in the correct size on its way to me. They don't have to wait to receive the jersey I'm returning and I don't have to pay for any shipping.

 

I've ordered from them a few other times as well and they always send coupons with your merchandise.

 

I am really looking forward to our Atlanta weekend. I spent a lot of time in Atlanta for my first job out of college and fell in love. It always feels like a second home to me and I CANNOT WAIT to be there in two weeks.

 

Go Cards!

 

 

I'm off to the gym for my lunch break. Have a great Tuesday!



4th of July Weekend '13

Happy Monday! What a nice break from work the long weekend was. We spent our 4th at home relaxing due to rainy weather. It just wasn't worth the trouble to get the boat out in the morning, and by mid afternoon there was a monsoon.

 

Friday we went out of town to visit friends in Wilmington, NC. Nick lived there when I first met and started dating him, and going there always brings back the best memories.

 

 

 Nick's birthday was yesterday, and we rang it in on a sandbar. Unfortunately, despite many reapplications of sunscreen, we both got scorched by the sun.

 

 

Even though it was his birthday, Nick let me pick where we got dinner last night, so we went to my favorite pizza place, Slice of Life. I have been wanting Slice of Life for a long time. I would say I'm proud of myself for only having one piece, but their pieces are gargantuan.

 

I hope everyone had a great long weekend!



Polynesian Steak Marinade

In honor of the holiday tomorrow, I thought I would share my favorite recipe for steak marinade. This is seriously made the best steak I've ever had. Recipe is from Pinterest, however it called for flank steak and I use Porterhouse or Ribeye when we have steak.

 

Ingredients

1/3 cup pineapple juice (I use more, probably 1 cup)

  

1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce

1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions (I don't use these)

1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger

1 tablespoon honey

1 garlic clove, minced

Combine ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag; add steak to bag. Seal and marinate in refrigerator 3 hours (I marinade overnight), turning once.

I'm leaving work a little early to go pick up Nick's birthday cake, and won't be back in the office until Monday. I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful 4th! God bless the USA!

Girlfrands Reunion

This weekend my friend Jenna came to visit, and we had a girlfrands reunion with our friend Melanie.

 

 

This is the first time we've all been together in almost THREE years. I see Melanie pretty regularly because we live on the same side of town and meet at the gym sometimes. I hadn't seen Jenna in almost two years though, it was dynamite to have all three of us in the same place at the same time.

 

 

Besides being a bit cloudy, the weather actually cooperated.

 

 

I gave Nick his Piggly Wiggly shirt for Valentine's Day. If that's not romantic, I don't know what is!

 

Sunday I helped my dear friend Benson with preparing his queens for Miss SC next week. I think and hope I was able to give the girls some helpful suggestions for their interview. I'm a former pageant contestant, and I still get goosebumps when I remember the energy and emotions that go along with competing. One of the girls is such a sweet person and has such a great platform, if those judges don't tear up in interview they have hearts of stone!

 

It was great to spend an entire day with pageant people and talk about pageants until I was blue in the face. I didn't realize it, but I was in dire need of a pageant fix.

 

Yay for a short work week and I hope this Monday goes by quickly!