Sunday, May 31, 2009

TarHeel Love

Ahhh, weekend...

Yesterday, Boyfriend and I picked up the cake I had ordered for my mom's birthday and we found these WONDERFUL cookies:


I am pretty sure they will be making a reappearance in my guests' gift bags!

Friday, May 29, 2009

House Guest

Today is my wonderful momma's 39th-ish birthday! She is at the beach with my Dad celebrating as she should be...but she left me with a BIG GIANT house guest--MAX, 100lbs of pure lovin. Big Max is awful sweet, he just doesn't know he is 100lbs. My mom hasn't walked him since 2003--He knocks her over! At least he pretends to listen to my Dad. I've had my hands full, trying to get all three dogs pee'd and poop'd and water'd and love'd all BEFORE work. This makes me a little nervous for when Boyfriend and his dog move in. Three dogs is a LOT of work. Two dogs is hard too, but at least I have an arm to hold onto each one. My yard isn't fenced either--this afternoon I had two dogs pulling me to the pooper spot and one dog walking himself with his leash dragging underneath him. Max, on a leash pulling me, ran full tilt around a tree while Otis ran in the opposite direction. My face ended up in the tree with screaming and cursing, and oh yes, I dropped Max's leash. Lucky Dog had walked himself to the backyard so thankfully Max followed him and waited for me. I put them all on the back porch for some "quiet time." Three dogs is definately going to be a challenge!!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

i love surprises

Yesterday was Memorial Day, of course, but it was also a special little anniversary for my lovebug and I. We went to Goodberry's which was more than enough of a surprise for me (I always get a Regular Vanilla Light with Bananas and Blueberries...mmmm yummmm) BUT I got another surprise too:

Two weekends ago when we spent the day in Charlotte, we stopped at the Saks outlet in Concord and I found a pair of gorgeous Gucci sunglasses that I SO wanted. Now, I don't need sunglasses, but really, can a girl have too many shoes, handbags or sunglasses? (yes, but...!) Moreover, we are making every effort to save every penny for all our pending wedding expenses et al, so no Gucci glasses for me. Two days later, he made a special trip (2 hours away!) and bought me the sunglasses for our anniversary. I'm a very lucky gal! :)

Friday, May 22, 2009

Happy Friday!

Weeeeee Holiday Weekend!!! While I won't be out of town like most everyone else (like my cutie LiLu!!) it is a holiday and I'm excited! No work and all play. I plan on getting lots of family time, boyfriend time and TONS of puppy love :)

I moonlight as a nanny (best job I have ever had, hands down--I can't wait to be a momma!) and get to hang out with the most adorable nugget ever. He's taking his first ever beach trip this weekend! Here's how I spent my afternoon--




Now on to the weekend!!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Genius!

Look what I found over at the wonderful wedding blog
Style Me Pretty:


They read my mind (or pretty close anyway)...and gave me a pretty picture to show everyone!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

planning thoughts and centerpieces

It's been a boring work week so far, not too much going on here-- but I have made a LOT of headway on my wedding plans. No ring yet, and I am pretty sure I'll be waiting a little while. So it really is hard to make any definitive plans *yet,* but we do know basically where and when we want to get married and there SO much to be done. Mostly, I am already getting overwhelmed at the tremendous expense of it all. I am determined to keep it all in perspective and remember not to get wrapped up in having everything perfect. With a tight budget, some things will just have to give. And that's ok. (I say this now...) Since we have decided to have a small destination wedding in South Florida, we know there are going to be a lot of elements out of our control, and we're just gonna roll with it. When we really evaluated what was important to us, a big wedding just wasn't a priority. If we did here at home--our wedding would be huge and EXPENSIVE. I figure if we're in a beachside paradise and nature does most of the work, the table linens won't matter as much to me. That's the plan anyway!

This past weekend Boyfriend and I spent the day in Charlotte and made a stop at the new Ikea there. Thank you thank you there is now FINALLY an Ikea South of the Sweet Tea line. Atlanta is too far South, btw AND Why are there TWO in the DC area??? Yeah I know Maryland and Virginia are different states but that always seemed like poor marketing to me. North Carolinians like cheap Sweedish crap too! At least the ones I know...SO I was very glad to be able to actually not have to make a special trip 6 or 7 hours away. The reason I am so excited about Ikea are, among other gems, cheap bud vases for my reception centerpieces (I was serious when I said I wanted budget-conscious simplicity!). I am very excited about the possibilities and Boyfriend is very excited about the prices--Take a lookie at these:






Artfully cluster a few of these with bright pretty flowers, and Viola! a simple, chic centerpiece. Oh yes, and they range in price from $1.99 to $4.99. A great find! I plan on using a few bud vases of different heights, picture frames with the table numbers, and decorative tea lights that will work outside.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

a good week

This week has been pretty busy for me...but now it's Friday and I finally have a few minutes to wind down. Since I quit my fancy Sales career a few months ago (best decision EVER-- have never been happier!!), I've taken on a couple of small jobs and I'm actually busier than the 8-5 recently. I feel like the energizer bunny staying up late and waking early. I have found time to work, work on art projects, exercise and keep my house pretty clean. Oh yes, AND quality time with my 3 favorite boys--boyfriend, Lucky Dog and Otis. I really think that a few new habits have contributed to this super-productive week I've had:

1. I have eliminated most of the stress in my life. My job made me miserable so I ditched it. I made very good money (especially for just me) then, but now I have learned to live off less. Money is always stressful, and it was no less burdensome when I had more of it. The difference is that now that I don't have as much, I am smarter with it.

2. Water. I always strive to drink my 64oz a day (and I'm working on a diet soda 12 step program), but lately I have bumped it up to closer to 96oz...and I can tell a huge difference. All of my body functions just seem to be work better.

3. KBo's Green Monsters. She says she can't take credit for them, but she introduced me and I'm hooked. Spinach smoothie...mmmm yum. Here's how I make mine: 4c Spinach. 3/4 banana, 1c Vanilla Soy Slender Milk, 1tbsp Sunflower Butter, 1tsp ground Flax. crushed ice in the blender. Sometimes I throw in blueberries too. My brother and boyfriend are freaked out by the green blender and cups, but I don't care--the are SO GOOD. and Filling! I can go on one of these all morning long. And more importantly, this is helping the 09 Slim Down plan! Which, I'm very happy to report, is working out well--I now officially have only 10lbs to lose...but these are the same damn 10lbs that I've been complaining about for years! Still have a lot of work to do!

All around, it's been a good week, and I am looking forward to a better weekend. Since my last post about DIAMONDS, a couple of my girlfriends have told me that they really love Radiant shaped diamonds, so here are a few for your viewing enjoyment.

This one is actually a Crisscut Cushion diamond by Christopher Designs, but it is gorgeous:


and these are awful pretty too--


Sunday, May 10, 2009

My 2 cents about Shapes

as far as Shapes go:

DIAMOND SHAPES!

I am eagerly waiting on one perfect little diamond, but I honestly have no idea when its coming. It could be tomorrow, it could be months from now...agghhhh the wait is torture! But incredibly exciting at the same time--Guys who think there is no surprise when girlfriends pick out their ring are WRONG.

In the meantime, I have nothing but diamonds on the mind, and here's what I think about various Diamond Shapes:


Round: Classic, Eternal, and for me everything the symbol of marriage should be--repeating the endless circle of the ring itself. My mother and grandmothers wore this shape and that is what draws me to it. This is also what many women do not like, the Round may seem too common or too traditional. There will always be a far greater selection of Round cut diamonds as well as settings designed for them, which can be kinder on the budget.



Oval: Stunning sister to the Round, the Oval is very elegant. Elongates the finger, and is often suggested for a petite hand; I find it most flattering on delicate, slender fingers. A feminine and creative alternative to the Round cut.


Radiant: Square or rectangular Radiant shaped diamonds were around before the Princess cut, but have been replaced in popularity as of late. The Radiant actually has more facets than the Princess but has trimmed edges like that of the Emerald shape. Due to its 70 luminous facets, the Radiant is incredibly brilliant as its name implies, but requires greater weight in the diamond's depth to maximize the radiance.


Princess: A glamorous diamond, usually square (depending on size can be more rectangular) with pointed corners. I find a lot of girls are enamored with the name and popularity of the Princess cut, but it IS the most popular non-round shape. Famous for good reason, it is both fiery and gorgeous--the Princess makes a beautiful solitaire setting. Like the Radiant, the depth percentage is greater, often as high as 78%.


Marquise: A traditional and regal shape with delicate tapered points at both ends. The Marquise is not my favorite shape, but King Louis XIV commissioned this diamond to resemble the smile of his mistress--the Marquise de Pompadour--so what do I know? The length-to-width ratio is important to be aware of, with a 2:1 ratio the usual preference. I have seen several rings recently with the Marquise set horizontally, which I think is lovely--both Art Deco and contemporary.



Asscher: This old-world diamond was created by the Dutch Asscher family and has an air of traditional opulence. The Asscher has step-cut facets and clipped corners that give its square-ish shape an octagonal look. Although similar to the Emerald, the Asscher has more fire than the Emerald because of its high crown and small table.


Emerald: The Emerald cut is strong and dramatic with long, broad lines. Originally developed for emeralds (obvious, I know...), the unique stepped cuts were made to compensate for the numerous inclusions in emeralds. In a diamond, however, the effect is impressive. Due to the openness of the Emerald cut, quality of the diamond is crucial, and the highest grade you can afford is best. I am of the opinion that the Emerald usually needs a clean, simple setting.


Pear: This radiant-cut stone is also known as a teardrop, but usually features the tapered point upward on an engagement ring. A perfect shape for a large variety of jewelry (especially in earrings), the Pear is fairly unique as an engagement setting.


Heart: I have seen the Heart shaped diamond referred to as the "ultimate expression of love," but for me it is more of a novelty--not at all what I think is fitting for an engagement ring. Then again, this Neil Lane 8-carat stunner might make me reconsider...


There are many other diamond shapes and innovative designers continue to add a new spin on classic cuts---Diamond shapes will always come down to personal preference, but honestly, as long as the Color, Clarity, and Cut are of quality--its pretty impossible for any diamond to look bad. They can be a girl's best friend afterall :)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

give your momma a kiss, she deserves it!!

I spent a great day with my beautiful, wonderful, slightly-looney-but-always-charming, BEST EVER MOM. My mom deserves a Nobel award or two for dealing with my brother and I--but she tells us that the only reward she ever wants is for us to give to our children the way she tries to give to us. Amazing woman, huh? I only hope I can be half as good a mother as my mom.

Here she is with my Daddy, circa 1972:

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Ring Shopping!

Oh woweeeee--We, my boyfriend and I, went ring shopping today! My stomach is all butterflies and happy! We have been actively searching for the last month (and I have been actively searching since before I ever met him--and no, this is NOT strange--I hope). I have looked at hundreds of rings on the internet from TONS of designers and pretty much know precisely what I want. I know exactly what I don't want too, which may be more important. I am pretty (very) picky about what I wear from clothes to shoes to handbags, and a ring I am going to wear EVERY DAY FOREVER is just something I want to pick out. Some friends of mine want to be completely surprised, and some of my guy friends think its just traditional for the guy to do all the shopping. My love has excellent taste and I do trust him, I just still wanted to make sure this little gem is perfect for me.

At the same time, I would wear anything that man gave me. I just want to be his forever, even with a piece of string tied around my finger. I love him that much. Before I met him, I would have told you that I *deserve* a big huge diamond, but in the last month I have suggested to him that we should look at smaller, reasonable, not-so-dang-expensive rings. Yes, I have even shocked myself. I really don't want him to break the bank for me, and I don't want him to work himself to death to pay for it.

Anyway, there we were, at the "Ring Shop" with a fabulous salesperson....and he was gooood, the sales guy. He found me my ring! After showing me many choices, and listening to my likes and dislikes--AND paying attention to the fact we had done our homework--He plucked the perfect one for me. It was a hybrid of the two rings I had narrowed down my choices to (I had found 2 rings while shopping with my best friend down in Florida). What I liked best about this ring though, is that Boyfriend really thought it was stunning too. As soon as I realized he loved it just as much as I did, I loved this ring like no other I had ever looked at.

And then the fabulous salesman ran to gather loose diamonds for us to possibly fit into said Perfect Ring, ranging from Size Reasonable and Beautiful all the way to Size Oh My Gosh I Might Faint. I didn't stay for this part of the conversation--that is completely Boyfriend's decision. I took off to look at all the other pretty jewelry, my heart seriously skipping beats...

and then I came home to this:

...Looks like I forgot to put the ketchup away.

Friday, May 8, 2009

New Blog

I am starting a blog? Really?

My dearest friends suggested I should, so it seems I am in fact starting a blog. I'm not at all sure I am interesting enough in my old age (ish) to record my life, or I guess the highlights of my life--- but at least I know that 2 or 3 people might care to keep up with me. Honestly, I can say that while my little world may not be wild and crazy like it used to be, it is changing dramatically. My world is spinning off its axis and I am dizzy just thinking about it. By this time next year, I should (I BETTER) be engaged, moved in with dog #3 and MARRIED. and soon thereafter planning for babies! But as of today am I still just a Girlfriend who works, more or less, pays all her own bills (sick of this part) and has 2 dogs.

And speaking of dogs,
let me tell you about The Boys:


1. LUCKY DOG
Age: 9
Breed: Pointer Mix
Color: Grey & White
Weight: 58lbs


Best Dog in the World. Ever. No Question. This boy and I have been through every event that has shaped my life and I would be lost without him. Incredibly smart and loyal; I have witnessed him shimmy out of a harness and unlock himself from a crate. He doesn't do leashes. He stays and obeys because he wants to. Don't cross his momma; he'll eat you. But if he likes you, and he likes most humans--he'll talk to you and warble and howl until he gets treats. He is best at hugs and leaning on you, and lots and lots of neck rubs.


2. OTIS
Age: 4-ish
Breed: Beagle
Color: Tri-Color
Weight: 26lbs

Otis is bad. Very bad! But he has got to be the cutest damn dog I have ever known. If he wasn't he would've been strangled long ago. He thinks he owns me AND my house and will poop on the floor if you leave him without his consent. Clearly, he earned his nicknames, Toots and Lil Shit. The very same crate that Lucky Dog (Angel) learned to unlock, Otis CHEWED through. He actually ATE his butt out. He has also eaten entire tubs of butter, loaves of double-fiber bread and many more fun surprises. But he snuggles and snores the cutest lil beagle snores, and he has the biggest most adorable elephant ears. He's never met a person he doesn't like and he already loves you for recognizing him to be the cutie he is.

Those are my puppies, my lovebugs. There is one more dog to come--a girl, and a beautiful Siberian Husky too. The next year is going to be amazing! Thanks, or no thanks, Kbo--for the inspiration! :)