that's what's up.

• Taking out the trash and washing muffin tins are in the running for worst house chores eva...
• House/Apartment hunting is a very time consuming, frustrating {and sometimes creepy} burden...but I'm totally obsessing over it lately.
• I attended the most fun Junior League event to date this weekend. It may sound like bragging if I tell you I hung out with Dhani Jones...but I got to hang out with Dhani Jones. {We won't talk about how I didn't know he was a player for the Cincinnati Bengals before this evening, but whatevs...that doesn't make him "un-famous" just because I'm not a huge football fan :) }

• I ran 4 miles this weekend {longest run of my lifetime} and it felt good! I'm well on my way to the 10K race I signed up for!
• My weekends are not complete without episodes of Brothers & Sisters. There wasn't a new episode this week because of the Oscars. Boo. I'm generally not a humongous awards show fan. So kill me.
• I cannot wait to go home this weekendddddd.....hoping the week flies by!

weekend visitors

I love these girls and would not be the same without them! Whether for a good laugh, trustworthy advice, a confidence booster or a fun time, these friends have helped make me who I am! I love you all! :)

 

I had a fun weekend, come visit again soon!

Happy Birthday to ME :)

Although this season is all about the Turkey, I will admit that my birthday turns me into quite the Ham.

I had the most wonderful birthday weekend. It started with an amazing cranberry mojito, delicious appetizers, and good friends at Palomino's...

...followed by a night of dancing {get it, Kristen}!

My Saturday started with Starbucks {thanks to new giftcards!! :) }, followed by lovely surprise gifts from my mom, lots of shopping, and a yummy meal at Cheesecake Factory. I really enjoyed our mother/daughter day of shopping. Even though mom hates to shop, she was a really good sport on Saturday! And of course we had to get a piece of cheesecake...

I am so very thankful for the way my parents spoil me every year! Perhaps they are the reason I act like such a diva during the month of November! ;)

I am equally thankful for my loving friends. I know I have true friends because they not only put up with me, they support my "all about me" attitude during my birthweek.

All in all, I'm a lucky girl! Thank you so much for all the birthday lovin'!

so college.

Sometimes it's fun

to forget about life's stresses...

with friends you'll always remember.

We still know how to have fun...

even though were no longer in college.

Single Ladies

This weekend I hosted my first "house party."

The adorable Bride-to-be!

The wedding party all stayed at my house to celebrate Shannon's last night out as a single lady.

We had a fabulous dinner followed by "Better than Sex" cake, a couple drinks, presents, and inappropriate games before going out to the bars!

 I hope Shan had a wonderful time {as I know I did}. I am looking forward to this Friday when all the wedding festivities officially begin {as I'm sure she is}!   =)

Wine-O Update

The wine tasting last night was a blast, I'm so glad I went even though it is intimidating to put myself in these uncomfortable new situations.

Thank you for all the suggestions {yay comments}! Unfortunatetly, I was not the winner of 39 {!!!!} free bottles of wine, but I did meet several new people and experienced a new bar in the area.

I met a guy {that works at the same company but still lives like a total college kid...think get blackout every weekend...not my style} that I talked to for a majority of the night. In the middle of our conversation, his friend came up to him and loudly whispered, "Why are you even talking to her? She's clearly engaged."

Note to self: Remove all rings before leaving the house. Yurman is obviously giving off the wrong vibe.

Note to others: The piano bar where the event was held had a dance floor. With a stripper pole in the middle. And neon lights throughout. Interesting.

Happy New Year!

This bright new year is given me

To live each day with zest

To daily grow and try to be

My highest and my best!

-William Arthur Ward

Happy New Year!

HS Reunion

On Saturday night, we had our annual friends Holiday Party ~ tacky Christmas sweaters and all!

I am so glad that all of our high school friends still get together regularly. It is sooo much fun to catch up, remember old times, enjoy a couple too many drinks, and pretend like we can dance.

It seems like just yesterday we were going to prom, dressing up for basketball games, and having poker nights. I miss those days dearly, but am happy we are still such good friends.

Cheers to old times!

Tacky Sweaters to the MAX

Sarah's outfit put everyone else's to shame ~ so funny!

It was also Jason's birthday ~ Happy Day!

Surprise!!!

Upon arriving at my friend's house on Saturday night, I was surprised by 6 of my best friends from college in town for the evening!

I could not have asked for a better birthday present! :)

We started out the night with dinner & wine at Mitchell's Fish Market, one of my favorite restaurants in town {where I felt extremely grown up...as we were all sipping wine and discussing our work lives}.

The food was delicious! "Best meal I've ever had"...as Kari some people would say. As this was a joint birthday celebration, we got THREE free desserts...7 Layer Carrot Cake {tdf}, Ice Cream Pie {also delish}, and a Java Lava Molten Chocolate Cake {my favorite dessert ever...}. Needless to say, this sweet tooth was in hog heaven.

Here's a picture of the Happy Birthday Girls:

The size of my smile could be directly related to the size of my dessert. I'm just sayin'...

The entire group at dinner:

Enjoying the city skyline:

I didn't stop laughing all night as we caught up on stories about our lives, reminisced about old ones, and made even more lasting memories.

We ended up at a very random bar full of very interesting people. Very entertaining to say the least! As my dad has always said, "It's not where you are, it's who you're with." No matter where I am with these friends, I have a wonderful time.

To my amazing friends ~ Thank you for the fabulous surprise! I only hope you had as much fun as I did! I miss you guys every day, and cherish the times when we are all together again. No matter where life takes us, when we are with each other it feels like no time has passed. I believe that is a sign of lasting friendship. I love you all!