Wedding and a baby!

... Not mine. 

But the next best thing happened last weekend: my best friend FINALLY married the perfect guy for her! After a 2.5 year engagement, Lauren and Christian said "I do" on the beach in New Smyrna, Florida. 

I had the honor of standing next to Lauren. She looked absolutely gorgeous, btw. 

Here is a shot of all of us girlies the night before. We went to a local restaurant called The Garlic, and I HIGHLY recommend. The bruschetta was amazeballs and the wine was a'flowin. 

Wedding day was perfect. We had our last sleep over (well, at least as unmarried BFF's) Friday  in my hotel room. Ray's stupid work made him come in Saturday morning, so he couldn't come up Friday night as planned. It all worked out for the best, and the bride, flower girl (Lauren and Christian's daughter), and I cuddled up and got our beauty sleep for the big day. 

It was POURING when we were on our way to get our hair done. If you know Florida, you know what I'm talking about. The out-of-nowhere rainstorm where you can see nothing around you and swear you are about to float away. I told Lauren it was definitely good luck... which I'm not sure is true, but I think everyone says so to make the bride feel better and like her day isn't completely ruined. 

Luckily, this bride was no bridezilla and it didn't phase her a bit. 

Here is a quick synopsis of how I feel about getting hair done for weddings: 

If you know the hairdresser and have seen his or her work, go for it. If you don't know the hairdresser but have time to go ahead of time and do a trial run, DO IT. Otherwise, you are better off doing your hair yourself. Bless the woman's heart who did ours, but it was the laziest excuse for an up-do I've ever seen. She did both of our hair in a record 45 minutes, which to me is just not enough time if you really care about making a bride perfect for her wedding. She used those dumb wide bobby pins, ALL of which fell out of Lauren's hair before we even left the hotel for the ceremony. Luckily Lauren is so easy going. If it were my day, heads would have been rolling out of that damn salon. But I digress. Lauren would be gorgeous bald, so it didn't matter.

The beach was HOT as a mo'fo but luckily the ceremony only lasted about 10 minutes. We meant business. Here is the Bride, Groom, myself, and Ryan, who stood with Christian. And of course a shot of the bride and yours truly.

 

The reception was at a local beachside restaurant, and we drank and partied the rest of the day away. Here is my favorite picture of my hunky boyfriend and I from the day :) 

After the wedding, the newlyweds went off to Punta Cana, DR for a week and we had the pleasure of having their daughter stay at our house after their out-of-town family members had returned home. 

Things I learned in my weekend of parenting:

1) Improvising is everything. Raining outside and nothing do to? Blanket forts entertain for hours. 2) Netflix is a necessity. No commercials, no problem.

3) I have no idea how parents refrain from posting every funny thing their kids say on Facebook. I lost track of all the random shit that came out of Jackie's mouth. 

 Perhaps one of my favorite lines of the weekend:

"Jackie, what's your favorite color?"

"Blue caterpillars with stripes."

We had a blast :) 

Big Changes!

Happy Tuesday!

 

I might be the most inconsistent blogger EVER, but life has been full of so many blessings lately and I felt the need to get it all out for anyone who might actually read my blog.

 

I started a new job on Friday! That's right, you are looking at the new Public Relations and Brand Manager for a local winery and vineyard. I cannot put into words how excited I am for the free wine opportunity to do the type of creative work that I love with wonderful people in a beautiful vineyard. I am so blessed and thankful for all of the missed opportunities that lead me straight to this perfect fit. What am I going to do with myself now that I will have most weekends off again?! :)

 

Ray got a motorcycle. I'm not talking about a Harley, it is a 1000 cc street bike. I went out of town a couple weeks ago and had only been gone 2 hours before he purchased a new toy. My only conditions for this new hobby were: 1) he ALWAYS has to wear a helmet; and 2) we have to take a trip to Europe by the end of next year.

The whole thing makes me pretty nervous because my boyfriend is a daredevil with a need for speed. I say a prayer every time he gets on that bike, especially when I'm on the back. 

 

(But I secretly love it.)

 

The next two weekends are going to be super exciting. This Friday I get to head up to St. Augustine for work, and Ray will be coming up to join me when he gets out. My company is going to pay for us to stay the night so we can explore the area! I love love love St. Augustine, so I jumped at the chance to get to hang out after my training day. Next Thursday we will head up to Maryland to watch Ray's cousin get married.

 

I love weddings... maybe it will inspire Ray ;)

 

TTFN!

 

 

 

 

 



Weekly wrap-up



What a wonderful week I had!

 

My mom flew down from the snowy north last Sunday and stayed with us for the week.

After working 20 out of 22 days, I was so freaking ready very happy to have a few days off.

 

I only had to work on Monday, so she gladly grabbed her swimsuit and a book and chilled at the pool at the hotel I work at all day.

 

On Tuesday we trekked up to Daytona for a little beach action at the shores, where we used to visit my grandparents during their winter migration to the sunny south. The day brought back a lot of happy memories for us both and we felt like we had come full circle. We had lunch at Crabby Joes on the pier (an old favorite), and dinner where else but DJ's Deck down under. Same place Ray and I go all the time for some fresh catch and hushpuppies. It was the perfect beach day :)

On Wednesday we shopped the outlets all day then went to Cirque Du Soleil. Have you ever been to one of those shows? All I can say is WOW- it was absolutely amazing to see what those people can do! The stage itself was impressive, different parts were always moving and changing. If you ever get the chance, go! They wouldn't allow for pictures or videos during the show so this is the only photo I have. Mom and I before the show :)

 



 

Thursday morning Momma came with me to get my hair did- with so few days off I had to squeeze it in where I could! I'm a blonde again. It really is more fun :) That evening she, Ray, and I joined my BFF Lauren and her daughter Jackie to see Oz: The Great and Powerful. Shameless plug: this movie is nothing short of incredible. Ray and I have now seen it twice, and I'd go again if the damn IMAX tickets weren't so expensive! But it is so worth it- the story is great, the casting was spot on and the effects are amazing! That was the first time I have seen a 3D movie and actually felt like I was there. Just awesome.

 

After Ma flew out on Friday morning, I spent all weekend at work. And I will be there all week... that is until Thursday when I leave the gorgeous Florida weather and head to the snowy north. Lauren is getting married and it is my job to shower her :) I could do without the snow but CANNOT wait to see all of my precious neices and nephews and get some QT with some family and friends. Life is good, God is great!

 

Also to update from my last post, I'm down 2.5 pounds. More to go but a great start! Feeling better already :)

 

TTFN :)

Starting Today

Like many girls, I have always been self-conscious about my weight.

 

I have never been overly obese, but I don't remember a time when I didn't feel like I needed to lose at least 10 pounds. There was a time in high school when I became overly obsessed with fitness and weight loss, but I dropped too quickly and not in a healthy way.

 

Since high school I have mostly maintained my pre-anorexia weight, but always being about 15 pounds over what I would consider a healthy weight. Who am I kidding, of course I would like to be 20+ pounds lighter, but I am learning to embrace the fact that I will always have a thicker, more athletic build. I know that if I eat cleaner, work out more, drink more water and get plenty of sleep, the excess will come off and I will feel healthy and energized.

 

That being said, here I am in my mid-twenties wondering "if not now, then when?"

I cannot put off my best lifestyle any longer. I don't want to look back at this time in my life and wonder why I didn't put in the effort before children, career and the unavoidable changes that come with age take over.

 

In order to achieve my goal of losing 15 pounds, here is what I am going to do:

Drink at least 100 ounces of water every day

Work out 5 days/week

Track everything I eat on My Fitness Pal

Sleep at least 8 hours every night

Blog every week about my progress!

 

Here is a little "Pinspiration"

 

 

Dream big, right? ;)

 

PS- as I write this, I'm watching Biggest Loser and eating M&M's. Don't judge me.

 



Hi Blog, remember me?

Sheesh... I haven't blogged in over a MONTH!

I'm not sure whether I just haven't had anything to write about, or maybe just the fact that I've worked 16 out of the last 18 days.

 

BUT there is a light at the end of the tunnel. :)

My momma is coming to visit me on Sunday for 5 days! So they are letting me have 3 days off, which I am sooo looking forward to.

 

I see the beach in my very near future. :D

And reading.

And napping.

And shopping.

I think we also might go to Cirque Du Soleil, which would be a first for both my mom and I!

 

Side note: I need to take meat out of the freezer for dinner, and cannot say how much I dislike deciding in the morning what we will have for dinner that evening. As if spaghetti or baked chicken sounds at all appetizing while I'm eating yogurt and sipping on coffee. Guh-ross.

 

 

Did anyone watch the Daytona 500? Ray and I were there!

It was my first NASCAR race and his first time at the "Great American Race."

I have to say, I think a new racing fanatic may have been born that day! I always enjoyed going to the dirt tracks in high school but had never been to an asphalt race. Still can't stand watching racing on TV.

But I finally get why people love NASCAR! It really is pretty amazing to watch in person, they go sooo fast at steep banks, right on top of eachother, and somehow manage to do that for 500 miles. I think my favorite drivers are Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick and Jimmy Johnson.

Here is my babe and I from the backstretch <3

 

 

Okay, I suppose its time to wrap this up and get ready for work. Since that is all I do anymore.

Have a great day everyone!!



L for Love!

I am a lover of all things DIY.

I am creative, scatterbrained, and find true joy in taking a bunch of nothing and creating something new and beautiful.

 

My latest craft was inspired by Pinterest and Etsy.

I am a Pinterest Junkie and SO not afraid to admit it.

And honestly, can any of us take full credit for our projects and recipes anymore?

I don't think so.

 

Anyways, one of my dearest friends in Maryland had her bridal shower a few weeks ago. Subsequently, she and her fiance recently purchased a house and I thought I would make them a one-of-a-kind wreath for their new home.

 

It may or may not have also been an excuse to make one for our house, too.

More bang for my buck, right? ;)

 

Anyways, here is the finished product!

 

 

Here are the supplies you will need:

wreath

wood letter

twine

1/3 yard of any 2 fabrics (I went with burlap and a plain cream colored cotton)

Pearl pins (optional)

hot glue gun

floral wire

 

I purchased everything I needed for two wreaths at Jo Ann's for less than $30!

Go ahead and try to buy two fabulous wreaths at target for that price. I dare you.

 

The first thing you need to do is wrap your wood letter with the twine, hot gluing in various places as you go. You could paint the letter for a different, unique look.

 

I used the floral wire and hot glue to secure the letter to the wreath.

 

For the fabric flowers, there are many tutorials on YouTube and Pinterest to create different types of flowers. I found roses to be the easiest for me with no sewing required. Check out this tutorial:

 

I hot glued the roses to my wreath, secured with the pretty pearl pins, and voila!

 

For the record, my use of the letter "L" is for Ray's last name, Love.

Wishful thinking on my part?

 

But since it's Valentine's Day, we can say it stands for our favorite noun,

love.

Yeah, let's go with that. ;)

 

Happy Valentine's Day sweethearts!





Hot Crabs, Cold Beer and Super Bowl Sunday

Like many retired northerners, my grandparents migrated to Daytona Beach every year from January through April. One of my favorite memories of visiting them was going to DJ's Oyster Deck, nicknamed "Down Under" because it is located on a dock under a bridge. This is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant and bar that locals love and is flooded with bikers during Bike Week.

 

Low and behold, it still exists and is exactly like I remember it. Since moving to Florida this is one of our favorite places to go. In case anyone has never been to Orlando, the seafood here is sub-par to say the least. Probably once a month we make the 1.5 hour drive to Daytona to get our fill of good hot crab legs, steamed shrimp, fried scallops and of course HUSHPUPPIES! This was the first place I ever tried them (at the age of 9!) and still maintain that theirs are the best.

 

I'm salivating just typing this.

 

Don't judge me. You would too.

 

We brought a couple of Ray's friends there on Saturday. We were starving and wanted to grub on some good food, and introducting friends to a new place seemed like a good enough excuse to make the trip :) We were not disappointed! Here are a couple snapshots of our night.

 

 

My handsome and I <3

(P.S. This is the biggest smile I could get him to muster up. He is just like other guys when it comes to taking photos, groaning every time I pull out the camera. Aren't boys ridiculous?)

 

Our feast! Or at least what remained about halfway through the meal. I was too excited when the food came to take a before picture!

 

And how about them Ravens?! My team is the Buffalo Bills, but I figured their odds were not good last night so I rooted for Baltimore ;) Honestly though, I didn't care who won as long as it was a good game, and that was the most exciting Super Bowl I've seen in a while!

 

More importantly, let's talk about the commercials! My favorite was the "So God made a Farmer" one by Dodge. I think that one hit close to home for so many people in my little hometown, where we have more cows than people. For real. What were some of your favorites?

 

Sigh. Now I'm thinking about all that junk I consumed the past two days, and all the cardio and healthy eating I'm going to have to do this week to make up for it.... bahaha who am I kidding. I'll probably skip the cardio, it was so worth the extra 2 pounds! ;)  

 

What a PERFECT weekend.

I'm not sure I want to return to the real world today :(

 

Till next time... happy Monday y'all!