OMG I'm Back In DC

Weekend Wrap Up

2012-02-27T18:19:00.000-05:00

Friday

Friday was absolutely ridiculous. Rach and I went to Murphy's (as always) and even though T's work schedule has been crazy she was able to meet us for a beer. We ended up meeting a group of Serbs, Croats, Brits, and few Americans that were hilarious! We sang along to all the Irish music and this lovely gentleman even danced a jig with me:

When the bar closed we hung out outside for a bit and were serenaded by traditional Serbian drinking songs...which led to a group of people from Mexico offering to sing us one of their traditional songs. They sang The Macarena...and you guessed it....about 20 of us did the macarena on the streets of Old Town Alexandria. It was pretty epic.

Saturday

One of my favorite couples (who coincidentally share a birthday) had their birthday extravaganza on Saturday. The theme was hats...so I wore a tiara...no judging haha. The boys ended up looking like The Village People in all their captain, police, and cowboy hats. You better believe we made them to the YMCA for us!

Sunday

via Washingtonian

Rach, T, and I met for brunch at Jackson 20 and it is officially one of my new favorite brunches! We all ordered the exact same thing (great minds think alike! haha), crabcake eggs benedict and bottomless mimosas. The food was delicious but what really made this brunch was the incredible service. As soon as we sat down we were handed our mimosas and within 10-15 minutes of ordering, we had our food. After we finished eating, they let us sit there for an hour and a half, sipping our mimosas and chatting. We never felt rushed and the waiter never let our glasses get empty. I will definitely be going back in the future.

After brunch, I got SWINDLED by a bunch of Girl Scouts. This is what happened:
Me: I would like a box of thin mints and a box of samoas
Girl Scout: Ok. They're $4 a box or I'll make you a deal and give you 5 boxes for $20.
Me: That is a great deal! I'll take 5 boxes then.

*PALM FACE*

Hope you all had wonderful weekends!

Saturday Silliness

2012-02-25T12:19:00.000-05:00

Just a little something to make you smile today...

via

Happy Saturday!!

Journey Forward (2)

2012-02-23T09:07:00.000-05:00

It's time for week 2 of Journey Forward. This week we're creating Journey Forward pinboards that help us stay focused on our goals and stay inspired to reach them. You can follow my pinboard here and I've included a few of my favorites below.

Stuff I Like

2012-02-22T18:32:00.000-05:00

1. Cinnamon Rolls

When I came into the kitchen this morning, my roommate had made a big batch of Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls. It was the perfect start to the morning and a great surprise!
2. National Margarita Day

Today is National Margarita Day! I will definitely be having one after work to celebrate. Will you?

3. Big Rich Texas Season 2

Who watched the season premiere of Big Rich Texas? If you haven't seen it yet, go watch it immediately! It was cray cray. I know these ladies are intense, but a screaming fight at the country club...is that really necessary?

4. Zoya Petra

I've been rocking Zoya's Petra this week and I've really been liking it. I originally chose it to be festive for mardi gras but I think I'm going to keep it on throughout the week. Even though it's purple, the gray undertones subdue it a bit and make it appropriate for the office.

5. Miike Snow

I know I'm waaaay behind on the Miike Snow trend but I am completely in love with his music. Take a listen to the track above and try to keep from dancing. He's playing in DC on April 28th but it very sadly sold out before I could get tickets. If anyone can score me a pair, I'd probably love you forever.

Happy Mardi Gras!

2012-02-21T17:16:00.000-05:00

I had a very wonderful but very quiet weekend that you probably don't want to listen to me recap. It involved the typically Murphy's shenanigans, lots of relaxing on the couch, and a fabulous champagne brunch at The Heights. However, I have now saved up all my energy to celebrate mardi gras with the ladies at Rumors! Do you have big mardi gras plans?

Saturday Silliness

2012-02-18T18:05:00.000-05:00

I stumbled upon this great page on The Happy Place that features silly answers kids have written on their class assignments. Here are a few of my favorites but I definitely suggest checking out the website for a good laugh!

Nail Files

2012-02-17T08:51:00.000-05:00

It's Friday so it's time to participate in Tara and Vicki's Nail Files link up! This week I opted for a new take on the accent nail trend.

Instead of going with a glitter accent nail, I opted for an accent nail in a totally different color. I admit, I did have a few people ask me why I had one yellow nail, but overall people seemed to think it was a fun look! I think I'm going to try it again sometime.

The colors I used to create this look are Zoya's Dove and Zoya's Creamy.

Journey Forward (1)

2012-02-16T16:08:00.000-05:00

Since I've been working on my little happiness project lately, I was immediately intrigued by Chelsea at Life is a Sunset's Journey Forward project. I think it's going to be a great way to help me work towards my 2012 goals!

The first challenge for Journey Forward is: Define your word. Start with the foundation. Tell us how the dictionary defines your one word and then tell us how YOU define it. What does that word MEAN to YOU?

The word I've picked for 2012 is grow. The dictionary defines it as:

1. To increase in size by a natural process
2. To develop and reach maturity

My personal definition of the word grow is very close to the second definition listed above. I view growing as the process of developing and maturing. Growing will involve trying new things, developing new aspects of my personality, and leaving old behaviors behind that just aren't working for me anymore. It will also involve maturing and growing up. Becoming more self reliant is something I'm really working towards in 2012.

I'm already really looking forward to next week's challenge:

Create a Journey Forward pinboard on Pinterest. On this pinboard, pin anything that reminds you, inspires you, or motivates you to keep moving toward your word. It can be pictures that make you happy, quotes that keep you going, anything related to your journey forward!

In your post next week, share the link to your pinboard so that we can all follow each other's boards and spread the love on Pinterest. Then, share a few of your pins! {Just not ALL of them - I have some future challenges we'll need to save those for!}

Stuff I Like

2012-02-15T12:31:00.000-05:00

1. Kid Cudi "Enter Galactic"

I don't know what it is about this song, but I can't get enough of it! It came up on my K'naan Pandora station last week and it had my dancing in my chair.

2. Tom's Flats

I am absolutely in love with Toms ballet flats. The colors and designs are all adorable! I just wish they didn't come with an almost $80 price tag. *sigh*

3. Jack Daniel's BBQ Sauce

My roommate has been raving about Jack Daniel's BBQ Sauce for a while now and I finally tried it over the weekend. Let's be real here people, I love anything that involves Jack Daniel's so this was clearly a big hit with me. Needless to say, I've been eating excessive amounts of BBQ chicken this week.

4. Get Lucky Blog Swap

I love blog swaps and I love St. Patty's Day so clearly I'm loving this Get Lucky Swap. You should head on over and sign up if you haven't already!

5. Bar Pilar

via

As I mentioned yesterday, we went to Bar Pilar for their Anti-Valentine's Day Party yesterday. It was amazing! I mean how can you go wrong at a bar that's blasting Shaggy's "It Wasn't Me", Jay Z's "99 Problems", and Bon Jovi's "You Give Love A Bad Name". The cocktails were amazing (although a little pricey) and I loved the decor and atmosphere of the bar. I will definitely be going back for dinner once their rennovations are finished.

Funny Valentine

2012-02-14T16:31:00.000-05:00

via

I saw this on someecards today and it perfectly describes what the girls and I have done every Valentine's Day since we met in college. We're continuing the tradition at Bar Pilar tonight for their Anti-Valentine's Day Party featuring bitter and sour cocktails such as "Tuff Love" and "Cupid's Broken Arrow". Rumor has it there's also going to be fabulous desserts and break up songs. I'm already excited for how hilarious/amazing/fun tonight's going to be!

And now to bring a smile to your faces today, here are a few other someecards that made me giggle:

via

And I know this one is old but no matter how many times I see it, it always makes me laugh!

via

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Valentine's Swap

2012-02-13T08:42:00.001-05:00

I love a good blog swap so I jumped at the chance to participate in Celia, Meg, and Tara's Valentine's Day Swap. I was paired with Patrice and she sent me the cutest card!

We all know how obsessed I am with Starbucks so this was the perfect gift! I can't wait to take advantage of the giftcard this week!

Weekend Wrap Up

2012-02-12T21:44:00.000-05:00

Thursday

via Yelp

I started my weekend on a Thursday again and met the girls for happy hour. We tried to go the The Hamilton (a restaurant that's open 24/7!) but it was so packed we decided to head over to Rosa Mexicano for margaritas. After happy hour we decided to stay and have dinner. I had the most delicious lamb tacos that I recommend trying if you ever visit the restaurant.

Friday

via

I met Rach after work for martinis at Local 16...they're just $5 during happy hour which lasts until 8pm! I had every intention of calling it a night early and was on my way home when one of my guy friends texted me that he was heading to Murphy's. I clearly never pass up a chance to go there and immediately headed over. It ended up being such a fun night and I'm glad I went out! Nothing beats a few beers and live Irish music!

Saturday

via Yelp

On Saturday afternoon, I met up with my friend T and some of the other members of the Murphy's crew for the Secret Service v. FBI hockey game. Sadly, it sold out minutes before we got in line to buy our tickets and we weren't able to go...so guess where we went instead? That's right, we went to Murphy's! It really is my favorite bar in the DC area.

After that, I went to my friend Tim's birthday party at Churchkey. It was my first time there but I'd heard so many good things about it that I was really excited to go. The atmosphere was really laid back, the music was amazing, and the crowd was fun. Plus, they have a delicious and extensive beer and cocktail menu.

Sunday

via

I put on my big girl pants today and filed my own taxes for the first time ever! My mom has always filed them for me but this year I wanted to try to do it on my own. It was surprisingly a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. Afterwards I cooked up this delicious BBQ Chicken Quinoa recipe that Caitlin over at Southern Curls & Pearls shared. I had some for dinner and plan on bringing the rest for lunches this week.

I hope you all had great weekends too!

My Happiness Project

2012-02-09T15:52:00.000-05:00

I started reading The Happiness Project last week (thanks to Krystal for the fabulous recommendation!) and I've been inspired to incorporate some of the strategies into my daily life. If you're not familiar with the book, it's Gretchen Rubin's account of small changes she makes over the course of a year to increase the amount of happiness in her life. I think one of the greatest things about this book is that Gretchen realizes most people can't embark on some Eat Pray Love style adventure in order to search for their happiness. Real people have responsibilities and commitments that prevent them from checking out for a year. Instead, the more reasonable and realistic approach is to make small changes to your everyday life.

Here are the four goals I've come up with so far:

1. Tidy up every night.

via

I don't know about you but I have a really bad habit of coming home at night, kicking my shoes off in a pile, dumping the mail all over the counter, and dropping my clothes on the floor when I swap them for something more comfy. By the time I get around to straightening up on Saturday, it takes me an hour to sort through all the junk. I've started spending 5-10 minutes neatening up every night and it makes such a difference. Plus, I feel calmer when I walk into a clean orderly bedroom instead of one that's a chaotic mess.

2. Watch less TV and read more.

via

I almost always have the TV on. I like background noise when I'm reading blogs, cleaning the living room, or eating dinner. Two nights ago I decided not to turn on the TV. Instead, I ate a quiet dinner, climbed into bed, and spent 2 hours reading. It was amazing how much more relaxed I felt. I also felt like I was using my time much more productively. This is definitely a habit I'd like to keep up with.

3. Be less high maintenance.

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Ok, so I'm not quite as high maintenance as Miss Blair Waldorf, but I can be pretty bad sometimes...especially when it comes to dating. I expect gobs of attention. Not in a clingy we need to spend every moment together way...let's be real here, I need my trashy reality tv/drinking and dancing with the girls time...but in a you should probably text me to say hello every day way. I've recently realized how ridiculous this is and let me tell you, it's decreased my stress and increased my happiness factor exponentially.

4. Do considerate things for others.

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Doing nice things for others always makes me feel happier. They don't even need to be big things. Something as small as helping a neighbor with a heavy package, sending my grandparents a letter, or meeting a friend for a drink after they've had a bad day, have a huge impact on my mood.

Have you read The Happiness Project yet? Are there any small changes you've been making in your life?

Stuff I Like

2012-02-08T09:10:00.000-05:00

1. Starbucks Blonde Roast

Have you tried Starbuck's Blonde Roast yet? I usually stick to Pike but I decided to branch out the other day and I ordered a cup of Blonde Roast. It's got a wonderful light and sweet taste. While I usually prefer a bolder coffee, it's fun to switch it up every once in a while!

2. Viggle

Viggle is my new favorite smartphone app. It gives you points for watching TV (it has to be currently on, DVRed shows don't count) and then you can trade them in for gift cards to everywhere from Amazon, to Starbucks, to Sephora! I usually like to have the TV on for background noise so I've been finding it easy to rack up those points. I'm hoping I can get my first gift card soon!

3. The Hunger Games

After resisting The Hunger Games Triology for the longest time, I finally gave in and read them. I'm so glad I did since they were absolutely amazing!! I finished all three within a week and I was completely captivated by the characters. I can't wait to see how they pull everything together for the movie.

4. In Time

I watched In Time last week and I thought it was great. In the movie, no one ages past 25. Once you turn 25 you get a clock with a year's worth of time on it. Instead of using money, everything is paid for with time. It's a really interesting concept and it's fun to spend two hours looking at Justin Timberlake.

5. OPI Atomic Orange

I've been loving orange nail polish lately, especially this OPI Atomic Orange. I've been rocking it on my toes this week. It's a great way to add a little pop of color during these dreary winter months!

Weekend Wrap Up

2012-02-06T09:03:00.000-05:00

Thursday

via Yelp

I decided to start the weekend off on Thursday and hit up Bar Louie for happy hour. Since it's the year of fiscal responsibility, their $5 martinis were a delicious and budget friendly treat. Unfortunately, my friend C and I didn't stop after happy hour and the budget went right out the window. It's the first time I've cheated all year though so I think it's fine! After happy hour I squeezed in a visit with the new guy I've been hanging out with. The whole situation is kinda complicated and messy so that's all I'm saying about it for now...but maybe I'll fill you in soon.

Friday

I wish I had something more exciting to share with you but the girls and I just sat around the apartment, drinking wine, and watching Shipping Wars. I know the show sounds stupid, but it'll hook you! Next time it's on, you should check it out.

Saturday

I was up early on Saturday morning to turn in my Junior League Membership Contract. Now there's a lottery system to determine who will make it into this year's new member class. I'm really hoping my number gets pulled! That night Rach and I went dancing at The Wonderland Ballroom. The DJ wasn't as good as usual which was disappointing but we still enjoyed doing some dancing.

Sunday

Yesterday was a very dark day. I don't want to talk about it.

Let's Go Pats!

2012-02-05T11:03:00.000-05:00

I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning...let's go Pats!!!!

Oh How Pinteresting

2012-02-01T08:42:00.000-05:00

It's been too long since I linked up for "Oh How Pinteresting" with Michelle at The Vintage Apple! This week I thought I'd share some of the cocktail recipes I've been dying to try.

Caketini

Source: rock-ur-party.tablespoon.com via Leanna on Pinterest

Strawberry Champagne Spritzer

Source: lindawagner.net via Leanna on Pinterest

Seductive Swan

Source: entrenous.typepad.com via Leanna on Pinterest

Honeycrisp Apple Sangria

Source: nutmegnanny.com via Leanna on Pinterest

Grapefruit Margarita

Source: theregoesthecupcake.wordpress.com via Leanna on Pinterest

Birthday Jello Shots

Source: blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com via Leanna on Pinterest

What's your favorite cocktail?

Weekend Wrap Up

2012-01-30T09:05:00.000-05:00

I confess, I have developed a sick obsession with The Hunger Games Triology. I literally didn't move from my couch all Saturday and Sunday afternoon while I devoured two and a half of the books. I promise I'll be back to reading/commenting on your blogs and replying to emails in the next couple days!

Friday

via Yelp

On Friday night we had a few drinks at a friend's place and then headed over to Looking Glass Lounge. The bar was great with 2 levels, strong drinks, an outdoor patio, and very cool decor. However, the neighborhood was not so great...I'm talking so not great that my friends wouldn't let me walk the 1 block to the metro by myself. I still think it's a fun place to check out...just don't walk there by yourself.

Saturday

via Yelp

I spent Saturday night at my favorite bar in the DC area, Murphy's. I met up with my friend T and she introduced me to a bunch of her friends that live in the area. Murphy's has live Irish music every night and we spent the evening shouting along to M.T.A. (although I'm not going to lie, I kept wanting to sing the lyrics to Skinhead on the MBTA), Finnegan's Wake, and Mary Mac. It was so much fun!

Sunday

My roommate lured me off the couch and away from The Hunger Games for a trip to FroZenYo last night. It's a serve yourself froyo place that's a lot like 16 Handles in NYC. I opted for the Cookies and Cream and Cake Batter flavors topped with more cookies and crushed reese's cups...yummmm! It's also super reasonably priced. My big serving was only a little over $3!

Oh and I also made a pot roast and homemade gravy! I'm not sure where this new domestic streak is coming from but I'm going with it. I got the recipe of the back of a packet of onion soup mix, but this recipe is very similar.

Nail Files

2012-01-27T08:24:00.000-05:00

I've been inspired by all the sparkly nails I've seen on this link up lately, so I thought I'd rock some of my own this week!

This is OPI's from A to Zurich topped with...promise you won't judge me...Justin Bieber for Nicole's Make U Smile. I couldn't resist the sparkles and maybe I have a little bit of the Bieber fever...terrible pop music is my guilty pleasure.

TAG!

2012-01-26T08:38:00.000-05:00

I've been tagged in 2 of those fun blog games that have been going around lately so I thought I'd combine them both into one post.

Here are the rules: You give five random facts about yourself. You answer the questions provided to you. You come up with different questions. Then, you tag five people to do it, too.

Five Facts about Me
1. I have an iced coffee every morning.
2. I can't workout on the elliptical or stationary bike unless I have a book to read...I get bored easily!
3. I'm slightly obsessed with the Patriots.
4. Ice cream is my weakness...I try not to keep it in my apartment since I'd eat a dish every night if I could.
5. I feel naked if my nails aren't polished.

The first list comes from Alex at Ifs, Ands, & Butts.

1. If you had to eat 1 condiment for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Definitely ketchup...I'll put it on anything!

2. What kind of socks do you wear?

Usually ankle socks but I love a good pair of fuzzy slipper socks on the weekends.

3. What camera do you use for your blog shots?

My real camera's been broken for quite a few months now so all my pictures come from my iPhone...or one of my friends' cameras!

4. What's the best random city you've been to (i.e., not known for tourism)?

Bratislava in Slovakia. It's such a charming yet random city. The picture above is of one of their main attractions...a statue of a man coming out of a manhole. Yeah, I'm confused about that one too.

5. Television or Film?

I'm a big trashy TV person. I love watching movies too but I rarely have 2 hours to sit down and watch a movie.

6. Would you rather live in freezing weather (32 F, 0 C) or extreme heat (100 F, 38 C) all year long?

Extreme heat for sure! I can't stand the cold.

7. Skype, Gchat, or FB chat?

GCHAT! I love signing in quickly to send a funny link to friends...it's such a great way to break up the work day.

8. Do you speak another language? If so, how the hell did you learn?? This is a selfish question. I need your best suggestions.

I used to speak pretty fluent Spanish from studying it for 9 years and living in Barcelona for 4 months. However, I haven't used it much in the past 2 years and I'm starting to lose it. The best advice I can give is practice, practice, practice!

9. What is your favorite international cuisine?

I love Spanish food...especially tapas! Seriously, I love Spanish food so much, if I could only eat one cuisine for the rest of my life, it would be Spanish.

10. What is your favorite YouTube video of all time?

Drunk History 2.5 with Jack Black...hysterical.

11.What is your go to magazine?

It's a tie between Cosmo and Glamour. I can never seem to buy one without also buying another.

Now onto Brittany's questions from Blogging Out Loud.

1. Which Disney princess is most like you?

My favorite Disney princess is Sleeping Beauty but I'm most like Jasmine...a total daddy's girl that likes to break the rules every once and a while.

2. What song do you have on repeat right now?

Ying Yang Twins' "Drop". It's been my go to work out music this week.

3. Who was your first crush?

Batman from Immature aka Roger on Sister, Sister. He grew up to be much more attractive so I wasn't totally off the mark.

4. Where do you see yourself in five years? Be honest.

Still living in DC, *hopefully* engaged, and maybe working on my MBA

5. Would you rather lose your vision or your hearing? Why?

My hearing. You can find ways to communicate without hearing but I can't imagine never seeing any of my friends' or family's faces again.

6. What scares you the most?

Heights, I'm absolutely petrified of them.

7. When was the last time you cried?

A few weeks ago while watching The Five People You Meet in Heaven.

8. What three physical attributes do you find most attractive in a guy?

Height, arm muscle, and smile

9. If you had unlimited money, which store would you visit first?

Louis Vuitton! I am DYING for a Speedy.

10. What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Terrible pop music made for teenagers...yes I do enjoy listening to the Biebz, Miley, and the Jo Bros.

11. If you could wake up tomorrow with a new talent, which would you choose?

I wish I could sing. I love singing along to the radio but I sound like a dying cat.

12. If you could have any exotic animal as a pet, which would you choose?

Right now I'm not around enough to take care of a pet haha I'd go with an exotic fish.

Now here are my questions:

1. What's your favorite guilty pleasure book? (Can you tell I'm already looking for beach read recommendations? haha)

2. What's your favorite ice cream flavor?

3. What are you looking forward to most in 2012?

4. If you were going to plan your perfect weekend, what would you do?

5. What's your favorite cocktail?

6. If you could visit one city in the world, which would you choose?

7. If you could only wear dresses or pants for the rest of your life, which would you choose?

8. Do you like to plan your week out in advance or fill it with spontaneous events?

9. How do you like your coffee?

10. What's the best practical joke you've played on someone?

11. What's the biggest challenge you want to overcome in 2012?

I'm going to tag these lovely ladies:

dk @ dk everyday

Maura @ Adventures of a Self Proclaimed Princess

Court @BB to 79th

Michaela @ Dolce Vita

Marz @ Royal Mail

Stuff I Like

2012-01-25T08:11:00.001-05:00

1. Oyamel

via

We had a work dinner at Oyamel last week and it was absolutely delicious! Oyamel is one of Jose Andres' restaurants and it features Mexican small plates. There are so many great choices but I opted for the ceviche special, the tamal verde (chicken tamale), the albondigas enchipotladas con queso doble crema (chipotle meatballs), a tinga poblana taco (chicken stew taco), and the tres leches cake for dessert. The albondigas were a tad on the spicy side but I'd recommend trying any of those dishes. Perhaps my favorite part about Oyamel, is their margaritas. Instead of salting the rim of the glasses, they top each margarita with salted air. The salted air is like a foam that sits on top of the margarita...it's a really unique little treat!

2. Laugh With Me LeeLee

My sister got my Laugh With Me LeeLee for Christmas and I adore it! LeeLee is one of my nicknames so not only is the name perfect but the fragrance it great. The first time I tried it I couldn't help but think that it smelled like me!

3. Victoria's Secret Valentine's Day Lacie

We all know I shop at Victoria's Secret like most girls shop for shoes, so when they sent me a coupon for a free Valentine's Day Lacie, I immediately went and picked mine up! I think the little tiny hearts are adorable and who doesn't like free stuff? If you get one of these coupons in the mail, make sure you take advantage!

4. Yorkie Poos

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I saw a Yorkie Poo for the first time this weekend and I am officially in love! Look at how cute and fuzzy and adorable he is. I will definitely own one of these cutie pies some day.

5. Supernatural

I confess, I have recently developed a sick guilty pleasure style obsession with Supernatural. I caught it once when I was home over Christmas and I instantly became hooked. It's on TNT every weekday at 10 and 11am...and you guessed it...I DVR 10 hours of that show every week. I'm hoping to be caught up enough to start watching the current season soon!

Weekend Wrap Up

2012-01-23T23:52:00.000-05:00

Friday

I had a very exciting night on Friday and worked until almost 3:30am. It was one of the most challenging and rewarding work days I've had so far. Our servers were down for maintenance and I had to set up all our late night jobs manually. Even without all our automated tools, I managed to set everything up and get it into the field on time...I'm not gonna lie, I was pretty proud of myself. Plus, my roommate made a tres leches cake which was a delicious late night treat!

Saturday

via

I started off my night by trying the Bubble Up Enchilada recipe that's been all over Pinterest and the blog world lately. They were quick, easy, and inexpensive to make. I wasn't completely blown away by them but they were good.

Afterwards, I met up with Rach and we headed over to our friend's new townhouse for her housewarming party. It was one of those nights that was so distinctly DC. I mean, where else do you find people that talk about seeing Ben Bernanke like most people would talk about seeing a movie star...or meet someone who named their dog Alexander Hamilton? It was a very fun night and a great chance to catch up with old friends and make some new ones. We snuck out a bit early to ~~meet some marines~~ have a beer at the Ugly Mug. Sadly, the place was abandoned (weird for a Saturday night!) so we decided to cut our losses and call it a night.

Sunday

Why yes, I did dress my champagne glass up in a Patriots jersey

Sunday was absolutely incredible! We got to Murphy's about a half hour before the doors opened and waited in line with all the other die hard Pats fans for a table. We enjoyed our champagne brunch (surf and turf eggs benedict...yummm) and got pumped up for the game.

Catching passes and growing staches...wearing it like Wes!

The game itself was absolutely insane. The energy in the bar was amazing. Everyone was cheering, yelling at the refs, chanting when we scored, and biting their nails at the end. I'm not gonna lie, we thought it was over when the Ravens went for that last drive. But then they blew it...and everyone went crazy! I'm talking jumping on their chairs, running around, screaming at the top of their lungs, and doing shots crazy. I can't imagine a better place to have been to watch that playoff game! I'm already excited to be part of the madness during the Super Bowl!

What did you do this weekend?

Saturday Silliness

2012-01-21T12:03:00.000-05:00

Have you been watching all the Shit xxxx Says videos that have been going around youtube lately? They are hilarious! I've been particularly loving the Shit DC Says and Shit New Yorkers Say videos. They're both so spot on. I feel like half the DC things come out of my mouth on a daily basis and it was the same when I was living in NYC. Hope they make you laugh too!

Nail Files

2012-01-20T08:40:00.000-05:00

This week I thought I'd share 2 fun takes on a traditional french manicure. I've tried them both and they're easy enough to do at home!

1. Glitter French Manicure

The base coat of this is Essie Marshmallow and the tips were created by pressing loose glitter into the polish while it was still wet. Use a top coat to seal the glitter onto your nail and you're done!

2. Multi-colored French Manicure

The base coat for this look is OPI's Barefoot in Barcelona. Once the base coat is dry, paint each tip a different color. I placed small pieces of scotch tape on each of my nails to ensure the tips came out in a straight line.

Stuff I Like

2012-01-18T19:28:00.000-05:00

1. Otterbox

via Amazon

So we all know the story of what happened to my Droid, right? I was skipping down the street one afternoon (hey, I was really excited to go shopping with Rach), threw it down the sidewalk, and completely smashed the screen. Given my clumsy nature, I decided an Otterbox was the best decision for my new iPhone. While it's a little bit big and bulky, it's worth not having to worry about breaking my phone. These cases can be a little pricey so I recommend checking out Amazon...you can find them for half the price!

2. Chicken Stroganoff

via

I've been using my slow cooker a lot recently. It's been a great way to cook up delicious yet easy meals. This week I tried a Weight Watchers' Chicken Stroganoff recipe. Not only was it low calorie, it was also tasty and budget friendly with it's small list of ingredients. I served it with brown rice instead of egg noodles to make it even healthier.

3. Voxer

Everyone needs to stop what they're doing, pick up their iPhone or Droid, and download the Voxer app IMMEDIATELY! It turns your phone into a walkie talkie. Now I know what you're thinking, how is that different than a phone? Well my friends, the beauty of this app is that you can record little instant voicemail messages with the walkie talkie. I woke up the other morning, checked the app, and had a recording of my friend Lauren singing Lionel Richie's Hello. Greatest morning surprise ever!

4. Passion Fruit Chobani

I've recently switched from Chobani to Harris Teeter brand Greek yogurt in an effort to commit to my year of fiscal responsibility. However, I've been very curious about their new flavors so I decided to pick up a container of their passion fruit yogurt. OMG was it good! It's one of the best flavors of yogurt I've ever had. I definitely will be treating myself again. Have you tried any of Chobani's new flavors yet? Blood Orange is next on my list.

5. Next Great Baker

via

I spent waaay too much time this weekend watching a marathon of Next Great Baker and it's safe to say I'm officially hooked! I've always been a fan of Cake Boss but the competitive element of the Next Great Baker makes even better TV. I love seeing all the fancy cakes they make and the drama between the contestants.

Embrace the Crazy

2012-01-17T22:37:00.000-05:00

via

My roommate and I have been having a lot of great conversations lately. We had one last week that I was reminded of when I read, How to Be More Interesting (In 10 Simple Steps) on Forbes this morning. Number 4 on the list is "Embrace your innate weirdness".

My roommate has this wonderful theory that everyone comes with their own brand of crazy. Some of it is good crazy and some of it is bad crazy. The important thing is knowing what yours is and working with it. We were especially talking about it in terms of relationships and how you have to find someone who's crazy is complimentary to your own crazy.

I am well aware of my two types of crazy:

1. I always have to plan things in advance. My Erin Condren planner is like my security blanket and I have everything from workouts, to business meetings, to happy hours penciled in a week ahead of time.
2. I need to feel like I'm a priority. I don't expect whoever I'm dating to hang out with me constantly (I NEED my personal space) but I need them to clear time in their schedule for us to hang out...and not just invite me to tag along when they go out with their friends. If this doesn't happen, I take it a little bit personally and end up feeling hurt.

I don't think either of these are bad things but they are little quirks of mine that tend to play a huge part in the success or failure of any relationships I involve myself in. I'm hoping that taking the time to recognize them will help me put a better emphasis on finding someone that compliments these 2 little pieces of crazy.

So tell me ladies, what's your crazy?

Weekend Wrap Up

2012-01-16T21:49:00.000-05:00

Friday

via Yelp

Rach and I are whiskey girls so we jumped at the chance to try the new bar Irish Whiskey Public House on Friday night. I have mixed feelings about this place. It's teeny-tiny and the way the tables are set up makes it an extremely tight squeeze when trying to get to the bar. They also didn't turn on any music until about 10:30pm which was definitely disappointing The cocktails were a little on the pricey side at $10 a pop but they were delicious. I tried Big Fellas and Brotherhood...I liked them both but if you're looking for something with a punch go for the Brotherhood. The service was excellent and the bartenders were very friendly. Overall, I'd say the atmosphere and the extensive whiskey menu make this a great place to take a date or catch up with a friend. I wouldn't recommend it for a large group or for a wild night out.

Afterwards we headed to Chinatown and hit up two of our favorite spots, Rocket Bar and Iron Horse. It was great to have some girl time and to put ridiculous songs on the jukebox like Bust A Move and Good Vibrations.

Saturday

Wes Welker's Playoff Shirts

The Patriots absolutely CRUSHED Tim Tebow on Saturday night and we were obviously at Murphy's to watch it happen. We showed up an hour before kickoff and there was a line down the block to get in. It was absolutely insane! We're there almost every week and I've never seen it even close to that crowded before. Luckily, we got in without a problem and got an excellent standing place right near the bar, the TV, and all the regulars. We had a blast cheering on the Pats, heckling the Broncos, and yelling all our Patriots' chants. I'm already excited to go back for the game on Sunday!

Sunday

via Yelp

Since none of us had to work today, we planned a whole day of hanging out and bar hopping on Sunday. We started our morning off at RedRocks for a phenomenal brunch. Bottomless mimosas+bacon and artichoke scrambles+all my GW loves=perfection. RedRocks is a small restaurant and there's usually a wait. If possible, go with a group since they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more.

After brunch, we moved over to Lou's City Bar to watch all the football games. Not having a stake in any of the games made it so much fun. We were heckling everyone, laughing hysterically, and enjoying each other's company. The staff at Lou's were super friendly and were great about us hanging out there for almost 8 hours haha.

How did you spend your long weekend?

Saturday Silliness

2012-01-14T11:42:00.002-05:00

Have you seen Jimmy Fallon's Tebowie video yet? It is too funny and it's getting me excited to watch Tom Brady CRUSH Tebow tonight!

Nail Files

2012-01-13T08:53:00.001-05:00

I'm one of those girls that always has her nails painted. I feel naked if I leave the house without a coat of polish on. I was thrilled to see Tara and Vicki's Nail Files link up since I think it'll be a great way to get some inspiration for new polish colors and manicure styles!

I'm currently sporting OPI's Cozumelted in the Sun. The touch of sparkle and tropical name are just what I needed to beat the winter blues.

Guest Post: Winter Workouts

2012-01-11T23:48:00.001-05:00

Today I'm featuring a guest blog from the lovely Cait. Her blog is one of my favorites so I was thrilled when she was looking for somewhere to guest post. Plus, her post is perfect to help you work on your New Year's resolutions.

Hi everyone! My name is Cait and I blog over at Fit, Fierce and Fabulous.

On my blog I talk about all the exciting things that are going in my life including new fitness routines, my bad eating habits ( and some good ones ha) all about my upcoming wedding next summer and fashion, shoes, purses.. you get the idea ;) Believe me, I'm def someone who'd love to curl up under the covers with a hot cup of tea and watch re-runs of Boy Meets World (Duh LOVE that show!) so working out would be the last thing on my mind! However, it is something that needs to continue during the colder months so your body can continue to stay fit, fierce and fabulous <-- like how I added that in there ;)

Tips to Working Out in the Winter

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If your a huge shopper like myself, it may nice to go to the mall early before any of the shops open and walk around. Think of it this way, if you window shop while you walk you're multasking and we all have to do 32387 million things at once

via

Consider joining a gym. I just joined a gym about 10 months ago and it was the best thing I've ever done. Specifically. my gym has a rock climbing wall which I love to use to switch up my work out routnines.

via

Take advantage of going outside with your kids, if you have them. There is nothing that works your body more than trying to build a huge snowman or snowfort with your little rascals piling on top of you!

If you like to be outdoors, maybe you want to try a new sport like snow shoeing or cross country skiing. I'm still trying to get my butt out the door to do this since my mom LOVEs going cross country skiing. She always comes back after 2 hours saying it was the best work out she's ever had!

I hope all of these tips have helped! And if you'd like come on over and say "Hey!" to my blog too :)

Stuff I Like

2012-01-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

1. Ten Thousand Villages

I did a little bit of my Christmas shopping at Ten Thousand Villages in Old Town Alexandria and I am officially OBSESSED with it. They have beautiful handmade gifts from all over the world. I fell in love with all their gorgeous blue and white ceramics made by artisans in Vietnam. Not only are you buying an unique gift, you're also supporting these artisans and their villages.

2. The Bachelor

I'm not usually big on watching The Bachelor. In fact, I usually hate the show. My roommate grew up in the same town as crazy pants Jenna so we decided to give this season a chance. As much as I hate to admit it, I am absolutely HOOKED. The level of drama and crazy is so out of control, how can you not be drawn in? Those girls are vicious...and I can't wait to see what happens next.

3. iPhone

I've had my iPhone for about a week now and I don't know how I ever lived without it. The operating system is great and I can run the majority of my work programs off of it...it's nice not to have to be glued to a computer quite as much. I've also developed a sick obsession with Words with Friends and Hanging with Friends. You should challenge me to a game! lwood15

4. Say Yes to the Dress

Say Yes to the Dress is one of my favorite shows! There's something so uplifting and happy about watching the brides find their perfect dress. I also love seeing the different styles and personalities of the brides. Does anyone else watch this show?

5. A Prayer for Owen Mean

I read A Prayer for Owen Meany in high school and I recently decided to re-read it. I remembered absolutely loving it but since I had read it so long ago, I couldn't remember all the details. I'm so glad I decided to give it a second read since I fell in love with the story all over again. Owen's courage, determination, and blind faith are inspiring. The story is also so real. It doesn't gloss over the pain of losing someone you love but at the same time emphasizes that things always work out in the end. If you've never read it before, I recommend putting it on your 2012 reading list.

Lust List

2012-01-10T09:03:00.000-05:00

I don't know about you, but my mailbox has been FLOODED with Spring clothing catalogues over the past few days. Since 2012 is the year of fiscal responsibility, I've been resisting placing any online orders. Instead, I've been obsessively pinning the looking I'm pining for on Pinterest. Here are a few of my favorites:

J.Crew <3

Double-breasted gold-button blazer

Colorblocked stripe long-sleeve tee

Zelda Jean Legging

Keyhole Halter Dress

Polka Dot Pencil Skirt

Cap-Toe Flats

Kate Spade

And it's never too early to start thinking about bathingsuit season...right?

Victoria's Secret

Weekend Wrap Up

2012-01-09T09:10:00.000-05:00

Friday

I was feeling a little run down on Friday night so I opted for a quiet night in. After catching up on some DVR I watched The Five People You Meet in Heaven. It was such a beautiful movie and touching story of how small actions affect the lives of others. If you ever catch it on tv, I recommend tuning in....but I'm warning you in advance, it's a tear jerker. I'm adding it to the list of books I want to read in 2012.

Saturday

Jbunny and I enjoyed the beautiful DC weather by sitting outside and sipping iced coffee and visiting the Degas Exhibit at the Phillips Collection. The exhibit was breathtaking! I love the way Degas captures all the little details of a ballet rehearsal...the big bows, the frilly skirts, the way the dancers' muscles stretch in their movements, and even the occassional bored girl sitting in the background.

via

That night we headed to Lost Society. I've been wanting to check out this bar for a while now and I'm really glad we did! It has a great atmosphere with lots of little nooks (like the one pictured above) which were great places to sit down and have a conversation. It was the perfect night to catch up with some old friends and get to know some new friends better.

Sunday

Sunday was another lazy day dedicated to football and homemade taco chili. It was the perfect way to relax and get ready for the upcoming week!

Saturday Silliness

2012-01-07T11:25:00.000-05:00

I feel like someone wrote this about me and my friends...

Weekend Recap: NYE Edition

2012-01-04T00:53:00.001-05:00

This blogger made the very very poor choice of having a cup of coffee at 7pm and now I'm WIDE awake. I'm on my second glass of wine so *fingerscrossed* that I'm able to get some sleep tonight. But all this extra energy makes this the PERFECT time to share my NYE with you!

Two of my very good friends, Ora and Kevin, came down from NYC so we could all ring in the new year together! We started our celebration by indulging in all the things we're trying to give up in 2012...aka a shopping binge in Georgetown (can you say J.Crew sale?), huge cheeseburgers at Rugby, and cupcakes from Sprinkles.

On the way home from our shopping trip, we went and picked up our wristbands for BYT's DJs & Beer & Books party. If we were going to get all fancy in our sparkle dresses...there was no way we were going to wait in line.

Ora's wristband...we knew it would be an epic night once we saw all the colors on these things

Rach met up with us to get ready and then we headed over to the venue and to meet up with a few members of our Sunday Funday crew.

Confession, I put this back on tonight to take these pictures...we were having so much fun getting ready we totally forgot to take any!

What do you think?

The party was absolutely ridiculous! The music was amazing, the drinks were strong (yes, the line for the bar was 45 minutes long but the bartender would serve you 4 at a time so you only had to wait in it once!), and the company was even better.

via

We spent the minutes before midnight dancing to The Dance Party's cover of Phil Collin's Sussudio, the minutes after midnight dancing to their cover of Rihanna's We Found Love, and the minutes in between kissing everyone on the cheek and shouting "Happy New Year!"

via

The rest of the night was devoted to dancing like crazy people to the DJs, laughing too much, and stealing a kiss from a stranger at the bar (hey, I had to kiss someone on NYE, right?). It was perfect.

With Ora!

DC Chillin'

And we had the perfect recovery plan for the next day...a Lindsay Lohan movie marathon, mimosas, and ordering horrific amounts of Dominos.

Cheers to you, 2012. I can tell you're going to be a good one.

**For more photos of the party and to check out other BYT events, visit their website here.

New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-02T19:17:00.000-05:00

It's January 2nd and I finally think I've gotten all the sparkles washed off my face. The BYT New Year's Eve party was absolutely ridiculous! You can expect a full recap later this week (this blogger's camera is broken and I'm waiting until I can get my hands on some pictures!)

If I can't recap my NYE shenanigans, I figure my New Year's resolutions are the second best topic for my first post of 2012.

1. Be Fiscally Responsible

This is the big goal for 2012. I've been working really hard on it over the past year but I've slipped up a few times (I love you Macbook Pro but I don't so much love the credit card debt). I'm hoping to get my credit card paid off by the end of 2012 and to cut down on my weekend spending. Spending $40 on a night out doesn't seem like a lot but doing it 8 nights a month really adds up!

2. Excercise, Excercise, Exercise

I've always been pretty good about excercising but I've let the holidays put a damper on my workout routine. Working out makes me feel more energized and puts me in a better mood. I think incorporating it back into my routine is important in 2012.

3. Date ~~Better~~ More Guys

My mom's been giving me a hard time lately about being "too old" to be casually dating. Yes, I date a lot and I date a lot of losers. Guys that secretly have a girlfriend, guys that act like children, guys with no focus or ambition, and guys who are more interested in themselves than me. But at 23, this is what I need to be doing. I'm still figuring myself out and dating like this lets me figure out what type of guy I'm compatible with and what type is completely wrong. I know once I meet the right person, I'll stop wanting to date more than one person at a time. In the words of my amazing friend Kevin, "when you're dating, quantity leads to quality".

4. Read More Books

I love to read but I haven't had as much time to read lately as I would like. I'm going to make an effort in 2012 to read more..I've got a huge stack of books on my bookshelf just begging to be cracked open!

2011 in Review

2011-12-29T21:39:00.000-05:00

I always like doing these posts since they're a fun way to remember all the things that have happened over the year.

1. I rang in 2011 surrounded by a few of my best friends at Gustavino's...and convinced a boy to buy me a $600 bottle of vodka. Hey, I had to start 2011 off in style, right?

2. I had a chance to attend NYC fashion week. A.Z. Araujo's swimwear was fantastic and there were some wonderful fruity cocktails.

3. Woke up at the crack of dawn to have a champagne and cake party with my roommate while we watched Kate and Wills get married.

4. Journeyed down to the dirty dirty South and spent a weekend visiting one of my very good friends in Hotlanta.

5. I had a little too much fun during fleet week...and got my heart broken 2 months later.

6. I saw NKOTBSB in concert and swooned over my boys Donnie Wahlberg and Nick Carter.

7. I wore a pretty dress and attended the Preakness.

8. I had a split Fourth of July celebration in VA Beach and DC with my GW loves.

9. I went on both my first business trip and my first trip to the West Coast...where I finally had the chance to try In-N-Out Burger!

10. I fell out of love with NYC and moved back to DC, the city that I left my heart in.

11. I lost my best friend.

Weekend Wrap Up: Christmas Edition

2011-12-28T23:31:00.000-05:00

Source: jardindannapaula.canalblog.com via Fashion on Pinterest

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas! Our Christmas was nice but very crazy...we had 27 people at my mom's house! It was the perfect mix of delicious food, family, friends, and games...with a little chaos throw in. We played some intense Sour Apples to Apples and Pig tournaments (this girl right here was the big Pig winner *woot woot*).

Even though we had so much excitement going on, it was a sad Christmas for us without my dad. However, we woke up on Christmas Eve and found our porch full of Christmas presents. Our sweet neighbors had bought gifts for my mom, sister, and I and left them anonymously on our porch. It helped keep a little bit of magic in our Christmas this year and I'm still overwhelmed by their generosity.

Besides the surprises from my neighbors, I must have been a very good girl since I once again got everything on my list....well almost everything. Apparently there are no iPhones left on the East Coast but within the next 2 weeks, I will have everything on my list. haha

I did get two unexpected presents that were absolutely perfect too!

This Mary Phillips "I have high heels and low morals" calendar. It's full of sassy sayings like "why limit happy hour to an hour?" or "housework can't kill you buy why risk it?". I'm kinda obsessed.

My Aunt, Uncle, and cousins got me unlimited coffee at Starbucks for the month of January!! That's right kids, with this special tumbler you can get free coffee every day in January. Can you think of a more perfect gift for me?

Weekend Wrap Up

2011-12-20T08:45:00.000-05:00

Friday

I had one wild night on Friday and wrote out my Christmas cards while watching White Christmas. My work schedule was absolutely nutty last week (lots of things to wrap up before the end of the year!) so I really needed a night to unwind. Plus, White Christmas is one of my favorite Christmas movies and it just wouldn't feel like the holidays if I didn't watch it!

Saturday

On Saturday, we had our, "I'm Dreaming of a 1% Christmas" party...complete with plenty of champagne, martinis, cocktail dresses, pearls, and bowties. It was AWESOME! There was a lot of laughing...and maybe a video made of me doing the The Right Stuff dance and the Everybody dance...typical. Christine also brought the best grab gift ever...Whipped Lightning. Try the mint chocolate kind if you ever have a chance! I'm thinking I need to pick some up for Irish coffees while I'm home at Christmas.

Sunday

On Sunday, we stuck to our normal routine and went to Murphy's to watch the Pats. Almost the whole crew made it this weekend and we had so much fun watching Tom Brady CRUSH Tim Tebow.

Also, you can tell we're some of the few girls that sit at the bar to watch football/eat brunch...here's how the waitress named out check:

I think that makes us pretty epic. How was everyone else's weekends?

Saturday Silliness

2011-12-17T13:45:00.002-05:00

Did anyone see this on Jimmy Kimmel? He challenged parents to give their kids a terrible Christmas present...and video tape their children's reactions. This is what happened. It's pretty darn funny!

Stuff I Like

2011-12-14T23:51:00.000-05:00

1. Rapido Red

My mom's friend is a wine distributor and she recently brought us a couple of cases of wine. One of the bottles was this Rapido Red. Not only was it delicious, it also came with an adorable label. If you ever see it in the store, I recommend giving it a try!

2. Receiving Christmas Cards

I've received a bundle of Christmas Cards from relatives and some of my favorite bloggers over the past few days and it has made me so happy! There's nothing like looking at all the cards and their sweet messages to help put you in the Christmas spirit! I'm a little late with getting my cards together but I promise they'll be in the mail by Saturday at the latest.

3. Pure Ice Heart Breaker

via

My mom sent me a bottle of Pure Ice Heart Breaker nail polish and I am obsessed! If you opt for only 2 or 3 coats it'll leave your nails with a pale frosty look that's perfect for winter. Plus, I'm loving the little touch of sparkle.

4. Snickers' Nutcrackers

It's Snickers' Nutcracker season...one of the greatest seasons of the year! I don't know why, but these just taste so much better to me than normal Snickers bars....and I know they're made the exact same way as the Snickers' Halloween Pumpkins and Valentine's Day Hearts but they taste better than those too!

5. International Delight Iced Coffee

via

Klout recently hooked me up with an amazing perk that allowed me to try a quart of International Delight's new iced coffee before it hits the stores. I'm the kinda girl who drinks iced coffee year round...no matter how cold and snowy it gets out there...so this was the perfect product for me. I received the Vanilla flavor and although it was a little sweeter than how I usually like my coffee, it was still delicious. It was also a huge time saver in the morning to reach for the pre-made carton of coffee instead of having to brew my own. I'm definitely looking forward to trying the Mocha and Original flavors once they are released.

**I was given a free product or sample because I'm a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

I Want to be a Princess When I Grow Up...

2011-12-13T21:44:00.000-05:00

Source: parenting.com via Stella on Pinterest

I was always one of those little girls that grew up dreaming of being a Princess....ok who am I kidding...I'm still one of those little girls that dreams of being a Princess. I love the glitz, the glamor, and the romance. But I also love the idea of being a leader and a role model...which are aspects of being a Princess that are often overlooked.

That's why I wanted to share this New York Times article, Mommy, I Want to Be a Princess, with all of you lovely bloggy ladies. There's nothing wrong with indulging your inner Princess...as long as you embrace the good parts of Princess-hood too.

Weekend Wrap Up

2011-12-12T22:31:00.000-05:00

Friday

My epic friend Tim via

via

On Friday we headed over to the Brightest Young Things Greatest Holiday Party of All at the Kennedy Center. It was a lot of fun! The crowd was amazing, the music was great, and I can now say I've been to a party at the Kennedy Center which is pretty darn awesome. My favorite DC band, The Dance Party, played and they absolutely killed it (seriously take 10 minutes and listen to Sasha Don't Sleep, Hush, and Snake Eyes and you'll love them too).

There were only 2 downsides of the evening...the mixed drinks were $10 and the space was a little too big for the number of people there. But that definitely didn't stop anyone from having a good time! You can check out all the pictures here...and don't worry my friends have already called me out several times on the picture of me blatantly exchanging numbers with a certain drummer...it's fine.

Saturday

Since it's Christmas Party season, we had another holiday party on Saturday. I brought this wine bottle in a little Santa suit as a hostess gift. I was almost sad to give it away since it was so cute!

Before the party started, just the girls went to her place for a Lia Sophia jewelry party. They have such cute stuff! I restrained myself to just one pair of earrings but I am lusting after this ring hardcore. The boys all showed up once the jewelry party was over and we had a night full of great conversation, a few drinks, and lots and lots of laughing.

Sunday

We went to the Patriots/Redskins game at FedEx Field on Sunday. Rach and I took the metro to the stadium to meet up with the boys for the tailgate. The boys were pretty terrible at describing where they had parked but after wandering for 45 minutes we FINALLY found them. They grilled up some delicious food, we had a few beers, and then we headed to the game. It was a little bit of a cold day to watch a football game but we were bundled up in plenty of layers and still had a great time! Tom Brady had me a little nervous at times but, he pulled off the win. Gronk also made some killer plays. And speaking of Gronk....my mom has entered me to win A Very Gronkowski Christmas. In her words..."I'd be sad not to see you on Christmas but I'd much rather have you spend it with Gronkowski". She definitely has her priorities straight!

I had every intention of heading to Blogger Blitz after the game but I was just too cold and exhausted to make it. I hope everyone had a wonderful time!

Stuff I Like

2011-12-07T23:03:00.000-05:00

1. Chocolate Coffee Spoons

My mom sent me some chocolate coffee spoons in my advent calendar and I have been loving them! They're the perfect way to perk up my morning cup of coffee. You can order similar ones here.

2. The Santa Clause

The Santa Clause has always been one of my favorite Christmas movies. I watch it every single time it's on tv and I never get sick of it! It always puts me in the holiday spirit. What's your favorite Christmas movie?

3. Orchids

Orchids have always been one of my favorite flowers. I love the little pop of color they provide and how delicate they look. I've got a blue orchid at my office right now that I adore. I'm just worried that I won't be able to keep it alive...they can be difficult to take care of!

4. Mio

via

I had lunch with some coworkers at Mio today and it was delicious! The atmosphere was great, the service was fast, and the menu wasn't outrageously priced. I opted for the salmon sandwich and I definitely recommend ordering it if you ever eat at Mio.

5. Vera Bradley Umbrella

I picked up a Vera Bradley Umbrella last month but today was the first time I had the chance to use it. The colorful pattern makes a rainy day a little bit brighter. Plus, I was impressed with how sturdy it is! The wind was whipping like crazy today and the umbrella didn't break.

Weekend Wrap Up

2011-12-06T08:52:00.001-05:00

Friday

Rach and I hit up U Street and had such a great time! We started out thinking we wanted a mellow night and headed over to Solly's, but once we were out we decided we felt like doing some dancing instead. We walked across the street to check out U Street Music Hall. We'd been once before and had just an ok time but Friday night we fell in love with this place. It's full of hipsters and their awkward dance moves but they just look like they're having such a good time you can excuse their bad dancing. haha Plus, the music was amazing!

Saturday

Last year's Santa Lucia Procession at the Swedish Embassy via

On Saturday, Rach, Courtney (who I met at av's NYC blogger meet-up over the summer...it's great to have a bloggy friend living down here now!), and I went to the Christmas Bazaar at the Swedish Embassy. I definitely ate my fill of Swedish cookies and bought waaaay too many Christmas gifts. The most beautiful part of the day was the Santa Lucia Procession at the end of the bazaar. Candlelight Christmas caroling was the perfect way to kick off the holiday season. I was also a big fan of the sassy lady conducting the Lucias who kept cueing the crowd to sing by yelling "Everybody! House of Sweden!" Amazing.

Sunday

I went to the Jets/Redskins game with some of my coworkers on Sunday. It was a lot of fun! Although now that I've been spoiled with club level seating idk how I'm going to feel about sitting in the nosebleed seats for this week's Pats/Redskins game. This is definitely a #whitegirlproblem (yes I just used a hash tag...it's fine.)

Make My Wish Come True, All I Want For Christmas Is....

2011-12-05T13:53:00.000-05:00

My bloggy Christmas list worked out pretty well for me last year...so well in fact that I got everything on my list!

Here's what I'm lusting after this year.

1. Longchamp Bag

My Lesportsac bag is absolutely falling apart and I am in desperate need of a new work bag! I'm dying for a Longchamp bag in either graphite or navy to cart my stuff to work in every day.

2. An iPhone

I'm definitely not expecting to get this for Christmas...but I am planning on using my Christmas money and my phone upgrade to get one! My camera, iPod, and cell phone are all on the fritz right now. This is the perfect solution!

3. Diplomacy and Diamonds

I'm fascinated by the story of Joanne King Herring. She's both a socialite and a diplomat...she's my kind of woman!

4. Warrior

It's no secret that I love this movie (and Tom Hardy *swoon*). I seriously need the DVD to add to my collection.

5. Bed Bath & Beyond Giftcards

I still need a few things for my apartment and Bed Bath & Beyond giftcards would be the perfect way to allow me to pick them up.

6. Time to Drink Champagne and Dance on Tables Poster

I think this one's self explanatory.

7. The Happiness Project

Yet another thing I've discovered from reading Krystal's blog is The Happiness Project. I think reading it'll be the perfect way to kick off 2012.

What's on your list this year?

Saturday Silliness

2011-12-03T13:05:00.002-05:00

This video just cracks me up and it perfect for the holidays!

Stuff I Like

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

1. Crowd Tap

After reading about Crowdtap over at Krystal's Kitsch, I knew I had to sign up! It's a great way to connect with brands and it gives you lots of opportunities to earn some swag and even a few bucks! I love how interactive it is and always enjoy contributing my opinion on the message boards. I think the points and rewards system is much easier to understand than Klout's and in my opinion, it offers a much better user experience. You should head over to their website and check it out!

2. Tiny Christmas Tree

I bought this tiny Christmas Tree at Target last week and I just love it! It's a little bit whimsical but still festive. Plus, you can't tell very well from the pictures but most of the ornaments are sparkly...you all know how I feel about sparkles.

3. Apple Cider Lemonade

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My roommate and I had dinner at Sweetgreen last night and I couldn't resist trying their Apple Cider Lemonade. It was very different but it was unbelievably delicious! I would have never thought of mixing apple cider and lemonade. I might have to start mixing up a little of this at home...but I have a feeling it'll never be quite as good as Sweetgreen's.

4. Heifer International

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A few Christmases ago, I gave my dad a flock of geese from Heifer International. The geese are then sent to a poor community somewhere in the world where they help provide food for the community members. Helping others was always very important to my dad and he was crazy about this gift. I love the idea of Heifer International! Instead of just throwing money at a community, you're giving them a tangible way to support themselves. You can gift all kinds of different animals....everything from bees to cows to camels. It's a great organization to keep in mind as you do your Christmas shopping.

5. Erin Condren Planner

My Erin Condren planner FINALLY arrived this week and I am absolutely obsessed! I've been steadily planning out my weeks by filling in my workout schedule, Christmas parties, and weekend activities. Plus, I can't get enough of those stickers! I think the planner is trying to drop me a serious hints by including two stickers that say "Vegas!"...looks like that trip is going to have to happen in 2012! I'm already feeling more organized by using the planner. You should consider buying one if you don't have one already!

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

2011-11-30T08:48:00.000-05:00

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was last night and I absolutely LOVED it! There were a lot of hits...and maybe a few misses...but all in all it was phenomenal. Here are a few of my favorite looks.

My absolute favorite section was "Ballet". I think it probably has something to do with the years I spent as a ballerina, but I cannot resist a good tutu!

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This right here was my favorite look of the night. It's got the perfect amount of sparkle and embellishment without looking gaudy.

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I loved this look for similar reasons...it got extra points for the gorgeous color

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And of course, the Pink section was whimsical, fun, and over the top like you always expect it to be.

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I'm not gonna lie though...there were 2 sections that I really wasn't feeling. The Super Hero lingerie made the models look like bad cartoon characters. NOT CUTE

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I was also really not feeling the "I Put a Spell on You" section. I thought some of this lingerie actually looked frumpy.

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And how can we not talk about the music? Maroon 5, Kanye, Jay-Z, and Nicki Minaj all killed it! They delivered the perfect high energy performances. I did think some of the runway music was a bit off. The slow boring song they chose for the "Passion" section was all wrong. It should have been something sultry and upbeat!

Did you watch the fashion show? What looks did you love and what looks did you hate?

*All images are from CBS.com*

Mary Kay Loot

2011-11-29T08:25:00.000-05:00

This took me forever to get around to but waaay back in September, I won PinkLouLou's Mary Kay giveaway! I just adore that girl and who doesn't love make up and skincare products...it was the perfect giveaway for me to win!

With the big move back to DC, I had the package shipped to my parents' house and I finally picked it up earlier this month. It is full of great stuff and there isn't a single product that I've tried that I haven't loved.

Mary Kay by lwood15 on polyvore.com

1.Timewise Night Solution 2. Satin Lip Balm and Mask 3. Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover 4. Timewise Age Fighting Moisturizer 5. Timewise Day Solution Sunscreen 6. Timewise 3 in 1 Cleanser

I've always loved trying out new products so I've been spoiling myself with all these goodies. The Satin Lip Balm is my favorite right now...it leaves my lips so unbelievably soft! I've also been enjoying the anti-aging products. I'm always reading that you should start an anti-aging routine while you're in your early 20s so this has been the perfect opportunity to start...this girl does not want wrinkles!

I hope you all have lovely Tuesdays...especially since this is the GREATEST day of the year. The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is tonight!!

Weekend Wrap Up: Thanksgiving Edition

2011-11-28T21:58:00.000-05:00

Thursday

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In an attempt to save a few bucks, I flew home on Thanksgiving morning instead of the night before. It was actually kinda nice to travel on Thanksgiving...the airports were much calmer than on the Wednesday before! Thanksgiving itself was a tough day to get through. It felt so strange not to have my dad there to sneak candies with before dinner, to make everyone laugh with his stories, and to watch football with in the afternoon.

Friday

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Two of my best friends from high school came over on Friday night for some vino and some gossip. I always love seeing those girls...no matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, it's always like we've never been apart! The conversation flows perfectly and there's always plenty of laughter. Do you have friends like that?

Saturday

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On Saturday I got roped into helping my mom, aunt, and cousin rake leaves. This princess is not cut out for manual labor! It's days later and I'm STILL sore. Plus, I have one ugly blister on my hand.

Monday

I'm skipping over Sunday and going right to Cyber Monday....I made out like a bandit. Besides a couple of boxes of chocolate from Fleurir Chocolates, I finished all of my Christmas shopping! And I also scored a little something for myself...this gorgeous dress for New Year's! Did you get any great bargains this year?

Stuff I Like: Thanksgiving Edition

2011-11-23T21:01:00.000-05:00

1. Mashed Potatoes

Hands down, mashed potatoes are my favorite Thanksgiving Food! They're so delicious and I always top mine with a little bit of gravy.

2. Board Games

Board games are a Thanksgiving tradition in my family. This year we're going to give Sour Apples to Apples a try. I hope it's as fun as the original!

3. Stuffing

Stuffing is my second favorite Thanksgiving food. I fee like I never eat it except on Thanksgiving so I always look at it as a special treat.

4. Naps

Is there anything better than stretching out on the couch after stuffing your face with a turkey dinner? I don't think so.

5. Football

And of course...what Thanksgiving Day is complete without watching the game?

I hope you all indulge in all the things you like over Thanksgiving!

The Grapple

2011-11-17T08:40:00.000-05:00

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A few weeks ago I read an article about grapples on MSN and ever since I've been obsessed with the idea of trying one! Grapples are grape flavored apples...that's right GRAPE FLAVORED APPLES. It sounds wrong and unnatural and absolutely delicious all at the same time. Hopefully I can get my hands on one soon!

Are there any foods you've been dying to try?

Stuff I Like

2011-11-16T08:47:00.000-05:00

1. Hot Buttered Rum

The girls down the hall came over for to chat on Monday night and brought a tray full of hot buttered rum with them. I'd never tried it before but it was delicious! I think I've officially found my new holiday drink. Check out the recipe here.

2. Hell on Wheels

Has anyone else been watching this new show on AMC? I have been absolutely LOVING Hell on Wheels so far. It's got a little romance, lots of drama, revenge plots, and a down and dirty Western vibe. It is a tad violent but I think it needs to be to translate the danger of the Wild West. I can't wait to see how the rest of the season unfolds!

3. Hope in a Jar

With the change in the weather, it's getting to be that time of year where my skin constantly feels dry and miserable. While it's not too hard to find a body moisturizer, finding something to use on your face is always much more difficult. I was thrilled when I discovered Philosophy's Hope in a Jar! It goes on unbelievably light, isn't greasy at all, and leaves my skin feeling hydrated.

4. Voila Pasta

I've had a lot of after work events this week and haven't had much time to cook but I HATE eating take out. This week I've been opting for Voila skillet meals. They're cheaper than take out, aren't loaded with calories, and are pretty tasty for coming out of the frozen food aisle. I'm definitely going to make sure I always keep one in the freezer for nights that I don't have time to cook.

5. Unicef Christmas Cards

I had my heart set on sending out perfectly preppy Vera Bradley Christmas Cards this season but my mother made me feel guilty about spending so much money on them. Instead, I opted for UNICEF Christmas Cards. In the holiday spirit, they both spread joy to your friends and family and help children throughout the world. Plus, they do have some gorgeous designs!

A New Normal

2011-11-15T08:27:00.000-05:00

It's been almost 2 weeks since I lost my dad and it still doesn't feel real. I still expect it to be him when my phone rings, I want to call him after the Patriots make a great play, and when something exciting happens I still think "I can't wait to tell dad about this".

I've been overwhelmed by the out pouring of support from others. Friends I hadn't seen in 5 years showed up at my house, we were constantly surrounded my relatives, and the neighbors made sure we had plenty to eat. When I arrived back in DC there was even a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my coworkers in NYC waiting on my kitchen table. And how can I not mention all the sweet emails and comments from the blog world.

Now it's time to get back into my normal routine. A new normal routine that doesn't include daily lunch time chats with my dad. But getting back into the office, cooking dinner every night, and now getting back into blogging are helping me. Life is going to be different but it's going to continue to happen. It might take some time but I'm going to be ok.

May Angels Lead You In

2011-11-02T23:18:00.000-04:00

I've been reluctant to blog too much about this but I feel like it's time. After battling stomach cancer for the past few months, my dad is down to his last few days with us. My dad's always been my absolute best friend so this has been a really rough few weeks for me.

It's hard to imagine getting married someday and not having him there to walk me down the aisle and to not have him there to meet his grandchildren. It's even worse to know he'll never be there for another Christmas, camping trip, or Sunday afternoon football game.

I'm going to try to keep blogging since it's a little bright spot in my life right now. It helps take my mind off of things a bit. But, there's a good chance I'll be a bit MIA over the next few weeks. I hope you keep following along when I return.

Weekend Wrap Up: Halloween Edition

2011-11-01T08:54:00.000-04:00

Friday

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On Friday we celebrated one of my very very good friend's birthday with happy hour at Nooshi and followed it up with a few glasses of wine at Science Club. I always enjoy going to Science Club! It's got a really mellow vibe, the drinks aren't too expensive, and the food is delicious! I unfortunately am on a serious budget (damn you Erin Condren planner!) and had to eat dinner at home before we went out (and maybe snuck grapes out of my purse during happy hour...it's fine....no judging) but I still enjoyed myself.

Saturday

Two Halloweens ago we went on the Nightmare on M Street bar crawl and had a blast! We decided to go for it again this year and had just as much fun. Since it was SNOWING out, I had to come up with an emergency back up costume plan. It was waaaaay too cold for the mini dress my prisoner costume involved...so I threw on my Wes Welker jersey (with long sleeves underneath haha), drew some lines under my eyes with eyeliner, put on some shorts, and was a football player. Super lazy but super cute.

We started out our night at James Hoban's (always one of my favorite Nightmare on M Street spots) and then wandered over the Mad Hatter for a bit of dancing. I was feeling tired and left the bar a little bit early...and that's when things got crazy. While walking to the metro, I ran into some Silver Snakes from Legends of the Hidden Temple and had the following conversation:

Snakes: Why are you going home?
Me: I'm tired.
Snakes: You should come have a drink with us.
Me: No. I'm going home.
Snakes: But you're so pretty.
Me: Ok then!

So I ended up at Front Page with the Silver Snakes....and it was AWESOME.

Sunday

As always, we went to Murphys to watch the Pats. It was a very sad sad game but it was a great group of people to go with! Ana and her fiance met us for brunch (surf and turf eggs benedict...yummm!) and it was wonderful to catch up with them...they are one of the nicest couples I know! After they left, a few friends from home joined us and one of my new Twitter friends. Everyone got along great so it was definitely a success!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T10:41:00.002-04:00

Happy International Champagne Day!

2011-10-28T11:35:00.000-04:00

October 28th is International Champagne Day. I hope you're all celebrating with a glass or two of bubbly!

It's Ok

2011-10-27T08:09:00.000-04:00

I'm linking up with Neely and Amber today for It's Ok Thursdays. I haven't done this in a while and I always love this link up

To be unable to resist a sale at the grocery store...who doesn't need 10 yogurts for $10?

To hit the snooze button once or twice...or three times in the morning

To own 20 pairs of shoes and still manage to wear the same pair almost every day

To always keep your toes painted even when it's too cold for open toed shoes

To sing too loudly in the shower

To dance down the hallway when no one else is looking

To be reading 2 books at the same time

To talk to your pets like they're people

To hoard the best flavored K cups in your desk drawer...the good ones run out fast in the office!

To already be thinking about ordering Christmas cards and presents

Stuff I Like

2011-10-26T09:07:00.000-04:00

Before I do anything....you all need to click here and get your $25 for $50 worth of Erin Condren products deal. I have been absolutely DYING for one of her planners and now I can finally buy one without feeling guilty! They also have all kinds of adorable address labels, Christmas cards, calendars, and pretty much any type of stationary products you could ever want.

But now, onto Stuff I Like (I'm sure the planner will be added to the list as soon as I get it!)

1. Hocus Pocus

It doesn't feel like Halloween unless I've watched Hocus Pocus. It's an absolutely classic movie and even though I've probably seen it 50 times, I always love it! It brings me back to my days as a 12 year old when I had a serious crush on Binx...even though he was in the movie for a whole 5 seconds before being turned into a cat. It's fine.

2. Barista Room for Cream

I won a Barista Bath and Body giveaway a few weeks ago and my favorite product is the Room for Cream lotion. It's a nice light lotion that doesn't leave my hands feeling greasy. I've only been using it for about a week and it's already made my skin feel a lot softer. Plus, it smells pretty good too!

3. Earthbound Farm Fresh Herb Salad

I bring a salad to work every day to have with my sandwich, soup, or whatever leftovers I've packed for lunch that day. I was getting bored with a plain old salad so I picked up an Earthbound Farm's Fresh Herb Salad recently. It is delicious! Mixed in with the salad are bits of cilantro and dill. It gives the salad a great flavor.

4. On A Clear Day

I'm always looking for a way to get my skin under control and I recently decided to try out Philosophy's On a Clear Day. I really love this product. It's definitely been clearing my skin up and the step by step program is easy to follow. I recommend buying the travel size to start off since the products can be very drying. You don't want to buy the full set if you find out it doesn't work for your skin type. Also, the box comes with a warning that it will take 4 weeks to see results. I started noticing a difference after about 3 weeks so don't get discourage if it takes a few weeks to kick in!

5. Blogger Blitz

I was lucky enough to meet {AV} at Long Distance Loving back in May when she organized a NYC Blogger Meetup. Well she's done it again and put together Blogger Blitz! I love these blogger events since it's such a great way to share ideas, meet new people, and learn from more successful bloggers. I've already signed up for the DC event and the tickets are going fast. Get yours today!!

Fall TV Favorites

2011-10-25T09:02:00.000-04:00

So if you follow me on Twitter, you know I'm going through a bit of a rough patch right now. I'm not quite ready to blog about it yet but I'm hoping to work up the strength soon. Eventually, I think writing about it will make me feel better.

Until then, I'm going to keep things light! My new roommate has a TiVo and it is letting me rediscover my love of prime time television. Here are my five favorite Fall shows.

1. Hart of Dixie

Hart of Dixie is hands down my favorite show of the Fall! Yes, it's cheesy. Yes, the acting isn't very good. Yes, the town of Bluebell is completely ridiculous. And those are all the reasons I love it! It's such a light hearted, feel good show and it always puts a smile on my face.

2. New Girl

New Girl is another show that makes me giggle. I love the dynamics between the characters, all of the jokes, and Zoey Deschanel's antics. This is one show I can definitely see sticking around for quite a few seasons.

3. Walking Dead

I enjoy Walking Dead since it's completely different from most programs you see on TV. I mean, how many shows are there about zombies? The thing I like best though is the relationships amongst the characters and how they band together to fight for their survival. While watching the new season though, it became very obvious that I missed a few episodes last season. For some reason I was convinced the episode where they find the CDC office was the finale...which was very wrong. I'm going to have to catch up on what I've missed so the new season makes more sense.

4. Pan Am

I admit, I've only seen one episode of Pan Am so far...but I am hooked! Who doesn't love a good drama with catty backstabbing? Also, I love all the fashion! I think it's safe to say that I'll be spending my Saturday catching up on all the episodes they've already shown this season.

5. Modern Family

My roommate and I have started watching Modern Family together and it cracks me up! Seriously, this show is hilarious and how can you not relate to a crazy family? Everyone has one of those, right?

And maybe....

6. Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time is still a maybe at this point. I enjoyed the season premiere and I think it has real potential to be a great show. However, I'm a little concerned that they'll run out of storylines as the season goes on. I've got my fingers crossed that this keeps being as good as the first episode.

What are you watching this Fall?

Weekend Wrap Up

2011-10-24T09:09:00.000-04:00

We spent our weekend down in Charlottesville for the UVA/NC State football game. It was both my first time at a state school and my first time at a college football game. I had a ton of fun! It was so nice just to get away from the city for a few days, laugh a lot with the crew, and enjoy the fall weather. Sadly, UVA lost but we were kinda expecting that.

If you haven't been to Charlottesville, it's a great place for a little weekend trip. There are so many adorable cafes, restaurants, and shops. We had a delicious brunch at Siips. It's a wine and champagne bar that has a real homey feel...some of the tables even have arm chairs and couches.

One of my favorite parts of the weekend was having the chance to see all the fall colors. The drive home was just beautiful! The fall leaves were always one of my favorite parts of growing up in New England so it's always nice to have a chance to see them.

In other news, Rich Kid has made a surprising reappearance into my life. Now I know the sensible thing to do is yell "Danger, Will Robinson, danger!" and run the other way immediately. But come on people, when do I ever do the sensible thing? I know he'll probably stick around for a couple of weeks and then fall off the face of the earth again but homeboy is both a bro and ridiculously good looking. I never stood a chance haha

My New Place!

2011-10-20T08:45:00.000-04:00

So I'm finally unpacked enough to share some pictures of my new place! For now I'm only going to post pictures of my bedroom...I don't want to attract any internet stalkers/robbers by posting pictures of everything. haha Don't judge the fact that I haven't bought anything to hang on my walls yet (or the outrageous amount of Vera Bradley scattered around my room). That's next on the list. Any decorating suggestions are more than welcome!!

I built this all by myself...which you probably already figured out since it's all tilted haha. I've got my fingers crossed that it doesn't fall apart on me.

Giant closet and door to the bathroom

I couldn't resist sharing a picture of my shower curtain....I think it's adorable!

This is my favorite part about the bathroom...a huge vanity for all my makeup!

While I'm sharing pictures...I've had some requests for pictures of the oreo pumpkin cheesecakes I made. Here you go! Click here for the recipe.

Stuff I Like

2011-10-19T08:55:00.000-04:00

1. Pumpkin Sage Pasta Sauce

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I had some leftover canned pumpkin from the pumpkin oreo cheesecake so I decided to put it to use as a pasta sauce! It was such a great (and healthy) fall treat. You can find the recipe for the Pumpkin Sage Pasta Sauce here. The recipe calls for 16 sage leaves which is just ridiculous. I used 5 or 6 and that was still a little much. I think 3 or 4 would be plenty. I also subbed the heavy cream for milk to make the recipe a little healthier...it makes the sauce thinner but I still enjoyed it.

2. Shirred Long Sleeve Dress

I picked up this dress from Express over the weekend and I LOVE it! It's dressy enough for the office and trendy enough to transition perfectly to happy hour or a night out. Plus, it is super super comfortable. It's pretty form fitting though. I usually wear a small or a medium. I opted for the larger size which keeps all my trouble spots hidden but doesn't look sloppy.

3. Do Not Reply

One of my coworkers sent the website Do Not Reply to me yesterday. OMG, I have never laughed so hard at a website before. Clumsy Seller is my favorite one so far. Seriously...go read it now. It'll make you giggle.

4. Country Apple Body Wash

I am on a total fall kick this week and the Country Apple Shower Gel from Bath and Body Works has been bringing a smile to my face every morning. It smells like fall and puts me in a great mood for the rest of the day!

5. 6am Work Outs

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I've gotten back into my 6am workout routine this week and I don't know how I lived without it for so long! It gives me a great boost of energy to help me get through the day and really helps me keep a relaxed and positive attitude. I'm going to try my best to keep it up throughout the fall!

Weekend Wrap Up

2011-10-18T08:38:00.000-04:00

Friday

On Friday night it was my turn to cover any of the last minute jobs that come through from our LA office. I had a very exciting night and hung out with my laptop and some Tivo. It wasn't so bad though since I had a chance to make these babies:

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Shari featured these Pumpkin Oreo Cheesecakes from Inside BruCrew Life on Friday and I spent the whole day thinking about making them. They were super easy and delicious. I think I'm going to make them as a little Halloween treat for my coworkers.

Saturday

After buying Wes, we headed to the Taste of Georgetown (you might remember my post about it from last year...it was just as much fun the second time around!). Taste of Georgetown combined all of my favorite things: gorgeous fall weather, friends, and lots of delicious food! We opted for the 5 tickets for $20 option and tried 5 different dishes from 5 different restaurants.

1. Filomena: Beef Brisket Tortelloni with a Pine Nut, Sage & Crimini Mushroom Sauce
2. 1789: Lamb Sausage with Lentils and Swiss Chard
3. Rugby Cafe: Macaroni and Cheese
4. Sequoia: Tenderloin Skewers

Just like last year, the Beef Brisket Tortelloni was the clear favorite food of the day. And the day wouldn't have been complete without a little dessert...

Frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity! Secret Lover and I ordered our frozen hot chocolates at the same time and we were once again mistaken for a couple. While we were waiting he turned to me and exclaimed "OMG we are so totally ordering the $1,000 ice cream sundae for Christmas...want to do it? Let's do it!!". The woman behind the table would not stop winking at me afterwards...calm down lady...there is definitely not going to be an engagement in our future.

Sunday

Rach and I headed to our new football spot, Murphys, nice and early to enjoy their champagne brunch. We each had 4 glasses of champagne and giant plates of food....for $14 each....that's right $14!

I just love watching the game at Murphys. Nowhere else in VA can you hear someone yell out "I LOVE YOU WELKAH!!!" after Wes WelkER scores a touchdown. People are starting to recognize us a bit now and they came over the introduced themselves. It's a nice little community.

One of the most exciting parts of Sunday was having my friend D and her boyfriend meet us. D and I were best friends until we ended up at different high schools. By pure coincidence we both live in VA now and were able to get together for the first time in 9 years! I felt like no time had passed at all and it was wonderful to catch up. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her!

I hope you all had fabulous weekends as well!

Introducing.....Wes!

2011-10-16T10:15:00.000-04:00

Yes, I named him after Wes Welker...which makes him the toughest fish around! Don't mess with Wes.

New Apartment Wish List

2011-10-13T08:48:00.000-04:00

Now that I have a new apartment, I'm discovering I have quite the long wish list of things I need for it! Here's what's on the top of the list right now.

I desperately need a headboard and I'm kinda in love with this one from Pier 1. It matches my decor PERFECTLY and now that I have a real adult apartment, I think it's time for a real adult bed.

I'm trying to stay organized and one of the first things that needs to change is the pile of shoes at the bottom of my closet. I've already filled one of this babies and need to pick up another.

I have so many books and DVDs that I would like to store somewhere other than on top of my dressers (hey, there was limited storage space in my tiny apartment in Queens!).

I'm dying for a colorful little beta fish. I think he would love to live on top of my bookshelf, don't you?

A desk is another item on the wish list. Desks are expensive though so I think we all know what I'm going to be asking for this Christmas. It will be a lot easier to work from home if I have a little work station set up.

What are your apartment essentials and what do you think I should invest in first?

Stuff I Like

2011-10-12T08:48:00.000-04:00

1. McDonald's Monopoly

I think it might have something to do with my competitive side, but I love winning contests! My latest obsession is McDonald's monopoly. You don't even want to know how many times my sister and I ate there over the weekend...it was borderline unacceptable. But hey, we're down to only one missing piece for pretty much every single prize on the board. We're winning that beach vacation...even if all the McDonald's we have to eat in the process makes it impossible for us to fit in our bikinis haha.

2. Trivia Night

Last night the crew and I went to Front Page for their trivia competition. I personally am terrible at trivia but our friend Tim is full of obscure knowledge and led us to claim 2nd place (and a $25 credit off of our bar tab!). Even though I'm not the best at trivia, I still enjoy myself. We always laugh a lot over the ridiculous answers people come up with and it's a great chance to catch up with friends during a busy week.

3. Famous Amos Cookies

I used to love these cookies when I was younger! They are absolutely delicious and made the perfect snack at school. I had completely forgotten about them until I paid a visit to my office vending machine last week. Let's just say, I'm officially hooked again!

4. Shoes from Target

I don't know about you but I destroy my shoes. Living in a city means lots of walking and my shoes usually don't last more than a few months. This is why I love buying my shoes at Target. They're fashionable (people are always shocked when I tell them my shoes are from Target and not some fancy store) and they're cheap so I never feel guilty having to throw them out. I bought the adorable shoes above for only $14! These babies are next on my list.

5. Make Up Brush Holders

Sara over at We're Just Like You Only Prettier posted about this DIY makeup brush holder back in August. Ever since I read about it I have been dying to make one for myself. Well now that I'm in my new place and have plenty of room, I've finally made one! I absolutely love it. It's such a convenient way to keep my brushes organized and since I used colored stones, it's decorative at the same time.

Weekend Wrap Up

2011-10-11T08:47:00.000-04:00

So before I begin this post...we need to have a very important conversation. Who has heard this song by the New Boyz?

Alright, so this is supposed to be some sort of romantic song but the lyrics are "I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but you look better with the lights off". I don't know about you, but I would definitely take that the wrong way. ESPECIALLY because it also includes the lyrics "every guy wants to know how it is to clap the lights off and turn Khloe to Kim". This is THE WORST LOVE SONG EVER.

In other news, I had a pretty good weekend. Here's what went down:

Friday

Friday night I met up with a Twitter friend for drinks at The Light Horse. I'm sure you know how nerve racking it can be to meet a blog or Twitter friend IRL...there's always that fear that they'll think you're weird or something haha. Fortunately, we got along great and had so much fun! I now officially have a friend who can spot a military guy faster than I can...which helped us find a pair of sailors to hang out with for the evening. It was my first time going out at night in Old Town Alexandria and I will definitely be spending my Friday nights there more often. The crowd is a little bit older than a lot of the DC bars I go to (they are always packed with college kids...which makes meeting a guy a little tricky haha), the DJ was fantastic, and the overall atmosphere was more laid back than the bars I usually go to.

Saturday

I headed home on Saturday morning to spend the rest of the holiday weekend with my family. After missing my first Amtrak train to BWI (so maybe I had a little too much fun on Friday night haha), I caught the second one and made it to the airport just in time for my flight! I wish I had something more exciting to tell you, but I just spent the rest of the day visiting with my family.

Sunday

Sunday morning I went to the little coffee shop my sister works at and I found a coffee that was EVEN BIGGER than the Starbucks Trenta. I wish I could have her FedEx me one of these bad boys every morning. Other than that, it was a day of more visiting. My best friend and her boyfriend recently bought a house so it was really exciting to see that for the first time. And no trip home is complete without a trip to my grandparents' house. My grandma tries to feed me everything in the house whenever I go up there! Does that happen to anyone else? I think it is too cute!

Stuff I Like

2011-10-06T08:37:00.000-04:00

1. Fall Coats

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I'm loving being able to whip out my fall coat again! Wearing a knee length black coat with a pair of black leggings or tights just makes me feel sophisticated and ready to take on the day.

2. Trenta Iced Coffees

So we all remember my first run in with the Starbucks' Trenta, right? I threw it away in defeat and avoided the Trenta at all costs for the next 4 months. Well, I FINALLY conquered the Trenta on Sunday! I must say, I am officially a fan. But I highly recommend waiting to order one until you really really need that much caffeine. The first time it left me feeling nauseous and miserable. This time, it was exactly the fuel I needed to get through moving to my new apartment.

3. Chocolate Glazed Donut K Cups

Ever since I read Shari's post about this coffee, I have been dying to try it! I was pretty excited when I found a box of it at Bed Bath & Beyond the other day. It is just as delicious as I imagined it would be and it smells just like a chocolate munchkin from Dunkin Donuts! Plus, it definitely satisfies my sweet tooth without all the calories of eating an actual donut.

4. DSW

My new apartment is a few short blocks from DSW which I can already tell is going to be trouble. They have such great deals! I snagged a new pair of $70 work out shoes for just $35 the other day! Now I just need to pick up some fall boots...and some flats...and a new pair of heels...I told you this was going to be trouble!

5. Larry's Ice Cream

Larry's Ice Cream is a little shop near Dupont Circle that has some of the best ice cream I've ever had. I've went a few times in college but I recently rediscovered it thanks to a Scout Mob coupon (who can resist a free scoop of ice cream??). Their ice cream is homemade, fresh, and delicious. Stop by next time you're in the area!

Weekend Wrap Up

2011-10-05T09:09:00.000-04:00

After this weekend, I officially feel like an adult. Following an intense application process, I was approved for my apartment and signed the lease! After a year of struggling financially in NYC, it made me feel good to pass the credit check and meet the income requirements to sign a lease without my parents cosigning. It all feels very adult.

Saturday

On Saturday I woke up at the crack of dawn to head to my new apartment. After a quick cup of coffee with my new roommate (she's a doll!), we signed the lease. I didn't really have time to celebrate because within an hour and a half of signing, I was on a bus to NYC. I am a very lucky girl and one of my best guy friends came to NYC with me to help with the move.

We rolled into NYC around 5, picked up some beer and wine, and headed back to Queens to start the packing process. The packing part wasn't so bad. We had everything boxed up and ready to go by 11 (and that's with several breaks...packing gets boring!!).

Sunday

Sunday was an absolutely cuckoo bananas (anyone else get the Degrassi reference? haha) day! At 9:30am we picked up the Uhaul and brought it back to my apartment. By 9:45, 3 of my friends had arrived to help with the move. We had to carry ALL of my furniture and other belongings down FIVE FLIGHTS OF STAIRS. It was not fun but no one complained about it! Leaving my very first apartment was a little more emotional than I thought it was going to be. Luckily, I had Kevin there to tell me "We don't get emotional, we get bitches".

By 11:45 we were on our way to DC. The Uhaul trip was actually a lot of fun...we had some pretty epic sing alongs! We arrived in DC around 4:45 and then we got to do the moving thing all over again! Luckily, my new building has an elevator so getting everything upstairs only took about half an hour.

Now I feel ~~a little~~ just like this picture while I try to unpack. Since I work so much, I've been trying to tackle 2 boxes or suitcases every night. It's going pretty well so far! I'm really really hoping to be finished before I head up to MA for the weekend.

Saturday Silliness

2011-10-01T10:00:00.001-04:00

I found this on The Oatmeal yesterday and it cracked me up. Everything about this is so true!

Happy National Coffee Day!

2011-09-29T12:50:00.000-04:00

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Today is National Coffee Day. I've already celebrated by helping myself to an iced latte and an iced vanilla coffee. I'm thinking a should go all out and have one more cup...after all it is National Coffee Day.

What's your favorite coffee drink?

Stuff I Like

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1. Old Town Alexandria

I never spent much time in Old Town during undergrad but I wish I had. It's full of adorable little shops, cafes, and restaurants. I'm thinking I'm going to have to spend a few afternoons this fall strolling down these streets. Plus, they've got Alexandria Cupcake! They have the most delicious whipped frosting.

2. Four Weddings

Three of my favorite things are weddings, competitions, and bad reality tv...it's no surprise that I love Four Weddings. If you haven't seen the show, it's about a group of 4 brides who attend each other's weddings and then vote on the best one. I enjoy seeing all their different themes, dresses, and menus but my favorite part is hearing the other brides' opinions. It's interesting to hear all the different views on the evening.

3. Preschool Gems

Does anyone else read the Preschool Gems Twitter feed? It's so cute! It's a collection of things preschoolers have said and they crack me up. Here are a few of the best ones:
"Tonight we're going to have a pizza party! And scream!"
"I hear something... I think it's the earth."
"I don't care, I can fly."
"I wish being bad was good 'cause I love being bad"

4. Hart of Dixie

I just loved the first episode of Hart of Dixie. I'll admit that the acting could have been better but this show is definitely my new guilty pleasure. The characters were engaging, the fashion is great, and there are a few love triangles brewing. I'm already anxious to see who Zoe ends up with. Let's hope this show doesn't disappoint as the season goes on!

5. Maps

I've been looking for ideas for how to decorate my new bedroom and I keep being drawn to maps. I think they're a fun way to add an interesting pop of color to a room. I'm dying to put a desk in my room and I love the idea of putting a map above it...now I just need to decide on what type!