5 Year Anniversary!

Happy 5 years to my loving husband! 

Below, we are holding the item I made and gave him with the traditional 5 year "wood" theme... our new future house numbers! We also got these pictures taken on our lot, just a few days before construction started... we are really excited to get this house built!

and how freaking cute is Minnie on her chair in this picture. :)

Brooke & Davis - married!

It was a beautiful day for a wedding! All week the chance of rain decreased to 0% from about 40%... it was a gorgeous 72 and sunny. Someone was really looking out for these two! Custom dress, adorable white chapel and yard, key lime filled cake, fried green tomatoes... this wedding had it all. My heartfelt congratulations go out to Brooke and Davis! Have SO MUCH FUN on your honeymoon!

More Like Worst Present Ever

A surprise wedding is not a good idea for 99.99% of the population. In fact, even thinking that this could have been a possibility will now haunt my dreams for the rest of my days... I am just so glad that I am already married!

The gist is that a man, under the guise that he was planning the couple's own engagement party, set it up to be their actual wedding. According to this article, Adam wrote Carly a letter to explain what was actually going to happen (their wedding) instead of an engagement party and celebration of her homecoming from a 6 month sabbatical in Europe. With cameras already rolling, how could she react in any other way than thrilled?

As Carly read on, she soon discovered that Adam had planned every last detail, including picking a wedding dress, booking a hair stylist and makeup artist and inviting friends and family.

Barf.

Notice one little detail - NO ONE has pinned this article to Pinterest, there is a big fat 0 in the "Pin It" section. Want to know why? Pinterest is for wedding ideas that mostly girls have... and this, my male friends, is not one of them.

UPDATE:
A day later after the article went viral and STILL no pins to Pinterest. Men, if you have any questions on what to do to surprise your fiancee, I want to stress to you that THIS is not the solution.

You and Me

 Me and You. 

Valentine's Day Prep

This year for Valentine's Day, I am spending the night with my girlfriend while our husbands go out of town for a Bachelor party together. I know, I am an awesome wife. haha ;)

It got me thinking about love and how we show our love all too often with food. Over the past 5-6 months, I have been really focusing on healing some chronic problems in my body with whole foods and supplements. Going mostly gluten, dairy, and caffeine free has been very hard for me, and although people have the best of intentions with their gift giving, maybe chocolates isn't the way to go this year?

 

If you are dating someone who is trying to lose weight and/or get healthy and they set a goal for him or herself at the new year, try to be supportive in ways other than taking them to dinner and/or ordering dessert. Valentine's Day isn't that far off from when they began their journey and if you become a help instead of a hindrance for them, this will go above and beyond their expectations.

Here are some ideas for expressing your love in ways other than a dinner date, chocolates, and flowers. All monetary values are included. For simplicity and since Valentine's Day is mostly for the woman (duh), that is how these ideas will be directed:

1. Rent out an old theater to play her favorite love themed movie just for you two. Maybe have a nice dinner brought in with a good bottle of red wine. Don't know her favorite love movie? Princess Bride should do the trick.
2. Take a secluded carriage ride (if available). Buy her a new soft down blanket and bring it along for a snuggle with some homemade low calorie hot chocolate. A quick stop to Starbucks beforehand will work if you can't make the drinks yourself, just make sure the order says "skinny" in front of it!
   
3.  If money is tight or you can't do something together on Valentine's this year, for whatever reason, send or give her a list of 25 things you want to do together over the next year with her Valentine's card. They could be as simple as getting some frozen yogurt to taking a trip. Just make sure you follow through with the list!
4. Cook her something healthy, including a healthy dessert like the one below, and spend a romantic night together at home. Build a fire, play some music, and buy her something pretty to put on - maybe a satin robe, massage oils, or other beauty products.
5. Speaking of massage oils, for the woman who has everything, how about a spa day and while she is gone, clean the house and prep for date night #4 above? Go a step further and hire a cleaning service to come back, repeatedly. 
6. How about completely washing the inside and outside of her car? Filling it up with gas and new windshield wiper blades or mats will get you bonus points. There is nothing I like more than a clean car.
7. If she has a dog, what about a cute new collar/harness and leash? Coach makes some really nice ones if you are in the mood to spend, or any pet store will have some too. Check online for cute accessories for their collar/harness as well, think bowtie for boys and flower for girls. Perfect time for a walk afterward to get some exercise!
8. A lady can spend HUNDREDS at the hair salon. It would probably mean the world to her to have you set up an appointment with her favorite stylist for hair (and makeup?!?) before a special night out. Bonus points if your city has uber or another less expensive car rental, taking one out could be a special treat. You can pull up to a play or other event in style. Be sure to take her through the drive through for a laugh!
9. Stay-cations can be a great idea for an extended Valentine's Day or two. Staying in a hotel in your downtown or nearby city can be just as exciting as a real vacation, as long as it is someplace new and out of the ordinary it will have the same affect. In our town you can find a cheap last minute rental on the beach, especially because it is off season. Look for rooms/housing with hot tubs and be sure to order room service for breakfast!
10. Think really hard about something she has always wanted to have or to do. Like REALLY hard. A new jacket (or bathing suit?!?) or touring a local place that she just can't seem to get to? Surprise her with a Pretty Woman-esque shopping spree or tickets. For this one, the thought might just count more than the money... there is always something that we've been "meaning to do."

The list could go on, but the idea is the same, your woman just wants to be thought about. Not getting her chocolates while she is trying to lose weight is step one, planning a date that she would love is just icing on the cake. See? There I go with the food again.

Chocolate-Avocado Mousse

 

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, such as Ghirardelli
4 very ripe (8 ounce) avocados, peeled and pitted
1/2 cup agave
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup almond milk
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
Fresh raspberries, for garnish

Directions:
Place the chocolate chips in a small bowl. Place over a small saucepan of barely simmering water. Stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
Place the melted chocolate, avocados, agave, cocoa powder, almond milk, vanilla and salt in a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Spoon into glasses and refrigerate for at least 3 hours (can be prepared 1 day in advance). Garnish with fresh raspberries and serve.

source

The Bachelor - Update

I am doing pretty well in my The Bachelor predictions noted here. Only one girl gone from my original guesses, and she got kicked off this week! Pretty good for making them the second week in! I wasn't a huge Kat fan after that week anyways. She is better suited for someone else.

I also think that Andi and Nikki are also better suited for someone else, but their personality might make their interest in Juan more about the win or maybe even becoming the next Bachelorette. For me, there is no one better for Juan Pablo than Clare! Wonder if he feels the same way? Only 6 girls left...

 

Gorilla Mars

Wow...

Happy 4th Anniversary!

To my one and only - no one can make me laugh like you can. You have made these past 4 years of my life the best ever. I love you and am looking forward to many more!

Meeting Mr. Right

My post from the other day got me thinking about what advice I would give someone, especially a woman, who wants to try and meet the "one." I wrote that previous post because I thought it gave bad advice and I was critiquing it, so I think it is only fair that I give it a shot since I put that other article down so badly.*
*I am no love expert, I am just in love. :)


1. Do not boast, exaggerate, or be drama filled.

I have found that men can't stand it.

I have a particular friend that does all of these things and NOTHING gets my husband's eyes rolling like her stories. Everything is always the best, worst, craziest, funniest, etc. thing ever, and it is usually never the best, worst, craziest, funniest, etc.

What happens here is people stop listening. If you tell stories like this you are also likely a "one upper." I have problems with this and do it too because I can get excited about a story and want to relate to that person so I try to share my own experiences... proceed with caution because that can be interpreted as "you're story was great, but mine is better."

Also beware of the humble-brag. This is a fairly new term but the idea of the humble-brag is probably centuries old. For example, never say "My shoulders really hurt from that massage at my spa day this past weekend." unless you are trying to be sarcastic. If you are looking for genuine sympathy, you will not get it.

2. Be yourself, quirks and all, but maybe start with a smaller dose of what makes you "special" at first.

You can put up a ruse for a while, but after some time you will have to be exactly who you are, and all the time that you spent acting like someone else will be lost - both to them and to you.

Here are some to-dos: eat like you normally eat (vegetarian, etc.), talk about the positives of your family/friends/life, know your interests and talk about them (outdoorsy and sportsy? or like to watch movies and read books?), and last but not least - listen to them as well.  

Here are some no-nos for the first part of dating: talking about exes, passing gas, cussing like a sailor, getting wasted, talking about the negatives of your life (this guy is on a date with you, not getting paid to be your shrink), and telling him/her about what makes you really "special" - crazy family, etc.

3. Know what you want and don't settle, but most of all - know yourself.

This may sound like a sure-fire way to date less, but that is kind of the point. You want to date better, not more. "The only thing that the wrong man in your life will do for you, is keep the right one out of it." I heard this quote somewhere and have used it many times. If you are in a relationship that is going nowhere, the sooner you get out, the sooner you can meet Mr. Right!

There are certain things you should know in the back of your mind that you will not waiver on when you meet with someone. During my dating years, for me those things were smoking (I hate it), if you had children, and if you had allergies to animals. You need to know your "deal breakers" and follow them strictly.

But knowing and being honest with yourself may be the way to start with this list. Don't judge unfairly, and if you're not a 10 in the looks department, don't expect to get one, etc. Knowing yourself can only help you find the right partner.

Another example, don't say you want a guy with a six pack if you've never set foot inside a gym, on the pavement, or a bike in your life. Do you know what it takes to have an actual "six pack?" Your well built beau will probably go to the gym 4-5 times a week, and if this is not something you like to do, you will be doing other things alone at this time.

Hope this helps, he/she is out there! If you are having trouble meeting people, exploring your interests is a great way to start. There is an adults sports league in my town, and maybe there is one in yours too? Book Club? Even hanging out with the girls can work! They may know someone to introduce you to. Bottom line, you've got to do you first.

Women, Please Don't Give Up On Yourselves to Get Married...

My friend on facebook posted an article from eHarmony about how a "career woman" should act on a first date, and the undertone is pretty appalling. You can read the full article here, but basically it says to:

1. Leave work at work. 
1. Fine, I get that, it is always a good idea for both women and men to do.
2. Talking about work will come off as "masculine and assertive" is where you've lost me.
2. Let him pick up the tab. 
1. OK, I understand, chivalry and all that - especially since it is a first date. I would still go for the "wallet grab" though, ladies. I wouldn't want him to think that you can't take care of yourself.
3. Wear a dress, some heels, and perfume, and leave the power suit at home.
1. WTF?!?
2. This is a direct quote:
1. "Having an attitude of “Well, he shouldn’t be paying attention to my chest; he should be listening to how I closed that deal yesterday!” also won’t help career women get to a second date, so remember that you are in fact a woman and use it to your advantage."

That last one is really screwing with me... I interpret that as it is more important for you to wear something attractive on a first date than by telling him about the big deal you just made at work, because that is masculine and assertive.

But what if you have trouble feigning enthusiastic interest in superficial bullshit for husband-snagging purposes? 

"Career women" or so this article states, would NEVER take this advice so I don't know to whom they think this article is written. This is advice to a woman who wants a more traditional female role in her marriage. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but some women now prefer a more equal say in the household, can feel accomplished in a good day's work, and have more interests in life than "pleasing her man."
  
I am married and I acted myself 100% of the time during our dating years and still to this day I have been steadfast with who I am and what I want out of life. I prefer an equal say in our marriage and I have a career that I am proud of and it is a big part of my life - why wouldn't I share it on a first date?

I dated a man before I met my husband in which I felt I had to change who I was around him, and that, to me, is the main issue here. It was exhausting pretending I didn't have an opinion of what we did or where we ate, to get dressed to the nines and in full makeup just to have a movie night in, to not overshadow his mediocre career because I am an architect. I swore to myself: Never Again.

Bottom line is, be who you are. If you like talking about sports, you bring in a nice living, and you want to play flag football on your weekends, do it! There are plenty of men who will not only date a girl like you, but will appreciate your independence and conversation and companionship so much, that they may even be willing to marry you too. ;)

Love Letters to My Honey :)

Happy Valentine's Day Steven! 

I couldn't have said the above better if I tried. I like the "Flip to my Flop." ;)

Adrenaline Lifestyle

When I started this blog, it was meant to be a way for me to write about my passions and perhaps figure some of my deeper ones out. I have always known that I have far too many items on my plate and I thought that maybe I would be able to find out what is most important to me because of which events I was inspired to blog about. But then I just started writing about ALL of them.

In reality, two years later, I am still trying to pursue all of these activities and interests. Starting a blog has only added to my “to do” list – something that I was trying to whittle down – and at times has become a chore. I get a bit of anxiety when I feel that there is something I should be doing. I sometimes find it hard to relax, or even watch TV because I feel like I should also be doing laundry, cooking, crocheting, or even playing a game or checking facebook on my iPad just because I am sitting down.

Although my “to do” list always gets done, my lack of focus has had the adverse effect on items that deserve more of my attention because they are getting too little. I get tired, overwhelmed, and drawn to the activity that I want to do first – rather than the one I should do first. This has become evident more recently when my life’s goals as a childless adult were all getting accomplished.

College degree, professional degree, marriage, registration, house, car, dog, new job… check, check, check. What else can make me feel alive and important? Kids? Wine?

I recently read this off of another blog. It is an excerpt by Barrie Davenport (www.barriedavenport.com) and really hit home with me on this afternoon of internet perusal. It is about an “adrenaline lifestyle” and cuts straight to the core with how I feel about my life, and maybe how you feel about yours.

We’ve been conditioned to believe that the more we schedule our lives, the more we can multi-task, the longer and harder we work, the more valuable we are to society. We are stuck on a treadmill of tasks, commitments, and useless time-fillers because we haven’t allowed ourselves the space to know what our deepest desires might be.  We often feel guilty that we are letting others down or worried that we might be perceived as lazy and non-productive.

 

But the purpose of life isn’t to produce. It’s to live fully and joyfully. We aren’t here to accommodate other people’s hopes and dreams, we are meant to fulfill our own.

Pick your top five and focus intently on those. Allow yourself to be deeply engaged in the task at hand without worrying about the next item on the list. Becoming deeply engaged puts you in that state of “flow” that is immensely peaceful and satisfying.

I choose more quality time with my family and friends, furthering my career into a direction that better suits me, and I don’t know. Only three more? This may take a hot minute…

Designing and building our new home. This has been an on and off activity of mine from over the last few months, but because there is no rush I don’t feel like making it a priority when it is actually something I am quite passionate about.

New activities around my city. These would preferably be free so I can save up and afford to go and do new activities that are in a different, more exotic, city.

My body. I have been trying to look like I did 10 years ago for about a decade. Let’s get moving and do this.

 

The Hunger Games!

Grade: A
Date: March 23, 2012 - Opening Day
Location: Regal Cinemas
Notes: Read the book! Then see the movie. :)

I have a hard time deciphering between a book I've really loved and then watching the movie that goes along with it afterwards. I have done this with several series including Twilight Series and The Help, but never the other way around (movie first).

That being said, I feel like I should tell you that I don't know if the movie was really as good as I thought it was because I knew everything that the main character, Katniss Everdeen, was thinking and feeling emotionally. My husband came with me and he thought the movie was just so-so... but his favorite movies are usually a little more graphic and action packed.

The main difference I felt between the book and the movie is that I thought that Peeta's character was unfairly cast as Josh Hutcherson when Gale was cast as the gorgeous Liam Hemsworth. I liked both the Peeta and Gale characters for the Katniss' love interest in the book, but upon seeing them physically in the movie, I was team Gale from the moment I laid eyes on him!

Josh (left) and Liam (right)

I have only read the first book and am halfway through the second of the series of three. I now realize that Gale really is Katniss' true love and Peeta is a good second, but she needs to make everyone believe in her love for Peeta for their safety. So, without giving away any more to the story, I highly recommend you take a few days to read the book (easy read) and give the movie a shot if you loved it as much as I did.

By the way, Miley Cyrus dates Liam Hensworth in real life... Good work Miley!!!

What Valentine's Day Looks Like...

...at my house.

Pan-seared scallops, filet medallions, raspberry creme cake (complete with Raspberry Port), and Martin Ray Pinot Noir! YUM!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Breaking Dawn Opens Today!

I read all the Twilight books a few years back and really enjoy the escape to whatever place it takes me, even today. Maybe back to my childhood? This story is not a childhood even remotely like mine... we did NOT have boys that looked or acted like THAT in my high school.

Maybe the passionate love story? I don't like to think about it, because I KNOW that it can't happen because vampires don't exist. The whole idea of someone being able to protect you unconditionally, having the knowledge and manners of someone in their 100s, fierce good looks, and not even to mention a ton of money is a little bit intimidating. [I even heard some women went into a depression realizing that this life is not possible in our reality...]

I really and truly just love the stories, love that I am taking a HALF day from work with some of my female coworkers to grab lunch and a matinee, and love even more (although bittersweet) that we still have one more movie to be released!

Now, what is another series I can immerse myself into? Don't even say the "Something Borrowed" series. I saw that movie and it was a train-wreck...

I'll be sure to let you know how it is! :)

My favorite husband's birthday is TODAY!

Steven, having you in my life, makes my life that much better!

 You make me laugh every day.

You always look happy to see me.

You are an amazing friend to have.

You can lift me up when I am down.

You are so talented and have the best taste in women. ;)

I love you unconditionally.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DARLING HUSBAND!

The Best Week Ever...

goes like this:

Monday |
I get flowers delivered to my office from my husband... what holiday was it you ask? None! It was an incredibly cute surprise and I got totally red-faced and felt very lucky. The only negative to come out of that was our Business Manager told one of our office girls that her husband should "take notes." Who says that? It was super embarrassing, maybe even more for me. Seriously, keep your cynical comments to yourself.

Monday night |
I was thinking in the car ride on my way home from yoga class that I had to unload the dishwasher and pull my cat's bed out of the wash to put it back together, do the litter box, take a shower, fix some dinner and turn on my True Blood on the DVR... to my surprise - all of it was done but the litter box (some things will just NEVER happen - haha) and my shower of course. Dinner was even made so I was able to sit down and relax a half an hour earlier than I thought!

Tuesday |
After having a wonderful IIDA meeting at the brand new Thai Basil Restaurant in Mt. Pleasant, I came home to a shiny new DVR in the spare TV room! We previously only had one, so when Hell's Kitchen, Design Star, and Bachelor Pad all came on at the same time there was a conflict of only being able to record two shows at once, now we can record 4! :)

Wednesday |
I reveived news that I PASSED my Structures Exam! Finally, after waiting for 6 weeks I got the results. After previously failing this exam, I was SO HAPPY that my retake was a PASS! YES! and to almost top that, my boss walks around with our quarterly bonus checks to hand out! Score!

Thursday |
Although this is bittersweet, this day was our lunch and happy hour celebration for our dear friend and co-worker, Emily, to go back to school. I will really miss her but I am sure I will see her often and her school is only 3 hours away! I've never been to a Clemson Football Game, but I plan to remedy that this coming fall.

Friday |
Well, for one, today is FRIDAY! :) Plus I get to find out if my sister-in-law is having another boy or girl at a cupcake reveal party tonight. She is handing over the sex in a sealed envelope from the doctor to the baker and having her make all the cupcakes with filling. All will have white filling but one, which will have blue or pink filling, and then we get to see what he/she is going to be! Can't wait for tonight. :)

Vegas Baby!

My husband, Steven, and I went to Las Vegas for our 2 year anniversary. We switch up the years of which one of us plans the trip and I hope to (at least we plan to) take a trip or make special plans every year. Being that this was an even year, it was his choice and he went BIG! Vegas Baby!

Some of my favorite things about Vegas are pictured above and listed below: Sites, Shopping, Dining, and Shows! As this was my first trip there I feel secure in saying there is no place like it!

Highlights:

• Trying on a 52,000 Mikimoto Pearl Necklace
• Seeing a Steel Panther Show
• Seeing Cirque du Soleil - KA - show
• Being able to buy an iPad for what we paid for our anniversary dinner
• Staying in Caesar's Palace
• Some much needed relaxation
• and of course, spending some time with my amazing husband

When we make our next trip I would love to stay at the new Aria resort. It was by far the newest and most modern hotel and Casino there. Can't wait!

Happy Valentine's Day!

No matter what is going on, I am so grateful to know that you are there for me no matter what. You give me the support and love that I need and I am so happy that you are in my life! I love you!