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Friday, May 27, 2011

Birthdays

So yesterday I turned the big 2-6. The downside to turning 26 is that nothing really remarkable happens or changes. I think 25 is a milestone because you can rent a car, and 30 is a milestone because you are no longer in your 20s (which albeit can be somewhat depressing). But apparently 30 is the new 20 so maybe it'll be better than I think. :)

I'm pretty sensitive about birthdays. In high school birthdays were fine because May 26 usually happened while school was still in session. But then I got to college and would spend hours and days celebrating friends, then classes would end, everyone would leave, and I'd have my birthday all alone. It's hard to feel important and valued when none of your friends want to celebrate you in the same way you celebrated them. I'd still get a call, but none of them would send cards or gifts, or even come out with me for dinner.

But this year was the first year that people actually said "What do YOU want to do?" and insisted on creating an evite for a gathering. I've always done that stuff myself because I've never had someone want to do it for me, so it made me feel HUGELY special. People say that birthdays aren't a big deal, but I think everyone wants to still feel loved and celebrated at the end of the day. And I certainly felt celebrated last night.

It wasn't a huge group, but it was a fun group that really made every effort to make me feel important. And I admit I was really upset going into it because Patrick was traveling and supposed to be home mid-afternoon (which I was already frustrated with), then his flight got delayed, then because of the weather in Atlanta they had to land in Augusta and re-fuel. So I went to and celebrated my birthday without the most important person by my side. (I was secretly glad that everyone on Facebook tells you happy birthday because I was very sad for a majority of the day...but every few minutes I'd get another wall posting or another message from a friend I haven't spoken to in awhile, and it just really helped me enjoy my day so much more).

So in the end it was a really light-hearted and fun night. Mexican at La Parrilla then drinks and dessert at my apartment afterwards. I got some really sweet and special gifts, and love that my friends know me so well. So thank you everyone for making my birthday wonderful!

Looking forward to celebrating all of you in return!

Love love.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Brownies from the Lord

So I got this fabulous recipe while taking a "mental respite" at work yesterday, and not even an hour later I was at Publix buying all of the supplies for these babies. And man... they do not disappoint.

Here's a 3 step picture process to demonstrate how heaven is manifested in these brownies:

Ghiradelli Double Chocolate Brownie mix, cookies n' cream ice cream, and hot fudge (IN THE BATTER)

One layer of brownie mix. One layer of oreos. One layer of brownie mix.

Aaaannnnddddd voila! The most incredibly thing you'll ever put in your mouth. Best eaten with Starbucks Coffee flavored ice cream while they're still warm. Oh. My. Gosh. I'm using every amount of self control to not go FINISH THE PAN that is sitting on my stove right now.

In other news, my mom got me this amazing purse for my birthday!!! I LOVE it. It is a Radley London that she bought in London a few weeks ago...so it's the real deal. And so beautiful. Perfect for the spring and summer!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Bachelorette Love

Ashley, The Bachelorette

So last night was the first night of this season's Bachelorette. And that means that I am one happy camper. This is one of my favorite seasons in all of television, and I don't have any problems secluding myself from the world in order to fully engage in this wonderful show. If anyone has any interest in reading my favorite Bachelorette blogger thoughout the season, check out I Hate Greenbeans. It's hilarious and fun, and I love her oh-so-wise comments on each and every move, comment, and fail of all the candidates. It's the people like her that make me love this show so much. Well, her and Natalie, Anna, Katie, Jamie, and Natalie (yes two Natalies).

I'm just sad Jessica can't also be with me each week to commemorate each episode.

Here are some of the candidates (a random sampling if you will):

William - very handsome AND very nice
Ryan P- noteworthy because he got the first impression rose midway through the night.
Jeff - He has also been wearing a Zorro mask so far this season, so no one has actually seen his face. And yes, he's unfortunately for real.
Constantine (yep that's his real name) - really down to earth guy from Alpharetta

And this winner, got so drunk last night on the premiere, that he passed out and had to be carried to the car. without a rose. Classy. Very very classy.

So it looks like this season is shaping up to be a lively one. Nevermind the guy that has already said he wishes Emily were the Bachelorette over Ashley. Or the guy that called his mom WITH Ashley, and his mom instructed them on how to use protection for their overnight dates. Really? Was that necessary?!?! I wanted to cry. Or wet my pants. Or do something that wouldn't make me feel as uncomfortable with the situation. Im sure wetting my pants would have done the job.

Yay for one of my greatest love languages- watching reality tv with friends. Amen.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Happenings

So mine and Patrick's anniversary was this past week, and we are going to celebrate tonight! It is what we like to call a "stay-cation" instead of a "vay-cation." We just bought a house, so most of our money is going to household expenses (and trust me, there are A LOT), so we decided an Atlanta "stay-cation" was just the ticket for some quality time away.

Tonight we'll be going here for dinner:


It's a swanky little bistro in Decatur that is distant cousins with the restaurant Apres Diem, a fave of mine and Patrick's.

After dinner we're staying here:



It's the Hilton in downtown Atlanta.

The rest of our weekend is jam packed with a Lebanese dinner with some friends on Saturday, a baby shower, and family birthday celebrations all around. All of those are completely fun things, but I'm just flat out exhausted. I'd love 3 or 4 days to just lay on the couch, catch up on some reading, and just have some general downtime with Patrick. Maybe take a walk or bake something delicious. Even if I get 7-8 hours of sleep, I wake up so tired! Life is just moving a little too quickly for me right now.

Between this weekend and next weekend, I hope I'll get to relax a little bit more and catch up on little things around the house. Being 100% extroverted is a blessing AND a curse sometimes.




Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Favorites

I probably show you my current favorite things once a week, so I'm sorry about that. But I'd hate for you to miss something fabulous because I didn't post it (I know I am your sole source of inspiration). So ahead of time, I'd just like to say you're welcome.

These are paper towel rolls- cheap and very fun.

And these are 3 of the new pairs of TOMS for the summer, and they are to. die. for.

In closing, I'd just like to remind everyone to:



Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Home Sweet Home

Well folks, good news. We FINALLY bought a house! Now, we won't officially be homeowners until June 15, but we WILL be homeowners nevertheless. I can't tell if it is surreal, or just feels natural. And I guess I feel a little bit of both, which is a good thing I think. We're ready for more space, we're ready to have a dining room and an office and a guest bedroom, rather than have all those rolled into one tiny apartment. We've been blessed to live in a great apartment complex, but it's time to step into the next phase of life. Its bittersweet.

I want to still be in the "newlywed" stage but buying a house quickly ushers you into the burdens of "adulthood." And again, that's not necessarily bad, but I'm wondering....who in the world would trust me with a house? I don't even keep up with our little 2 bedroom apartment! I am terrible at keeping up with wash, and once I actually do the wash, it insists on piling itself on all the furniture in crumpled piles. The coffee table stays messy, the bedroom floor on my side of the bed is always stacked with clean clothes I can't seem to put away, and dirty clothes that can't quite find their way to the hamper. I have books stacked in 6 different places and shoes in all corners of every room. My life screams "irresponsibility."

But I have high hopes of turning over a new leaf. A more responsible leaf. I love to decorate and write and do art, but none of those things happen because I'm just plain messy. And have Facebook stalking to do. And America's Next Top Model marathons to watch. And more clothes to buy and snacks to eat. And books to read and nails to paint. Who am I kidding? This new leaf might not actually get turned over anytime soon.

In other news, I maxed out how many someecards I could send in one day. All because I sent 26 to my boss while at work. Ok not really 26, but I did max out how many I could send without being a member. So on that note, I'll leave you with this one- while I watch tv and read blogs and stare at my laundry piled on the couch:


Again, this blog comes with a "no judgement" policy. Thanks.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Skip West, Head East

I love to travel more than anything, and there are several places in this world that I would love to go. Here are a few that I hope to visit over the next few years! We just bought a house, so visiting any of these is highly unlikely (at least soon), but I have hope that I'll get there one day!


Venice, Italy


Marrakech, Morocco

Cinque Terre, Italy

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Delicious

I just ordered some of these beauties....
well, 24 to be exact.

From this sweet little shop at Phipp's Plaza in Atlanta.


Be jealous.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

College Roommate Love

Follow the sound of my keys. - Brett

At the Brew and Bowl

After every football game, we'd go to Ty's and grill out and make s'mores.

The Black Relatives.

Downtown in workout clothes. We were probably judged for this.

No explanation needed. Thanks Benji.

Groundhog Day Formal at Club 80

Mel, Evie and I borrowed Grant, Brian, and Jordan's clothes one night while they were out.

We had an inflatable turkey in the yard for Thanksgiving.

We played Twister every night after we went out in Athens. Patrick's the reigning champion.

Disco Night at the skating rink: "Can I pay extra for speed skates?" - Grant

Jessica's least favorite picture. Sweating and waiting to get our football tickets.

John Cena and George Bush

Our band. The Brothel.

The night we had a prank war with the neighbors we made a palette on the floor with Lisa.


167. The Apartment of Dreams.


These are some of my greatest memories, even though the pictures hardly do justice to how wonderful these friends are.