I do!

Balloooooooooooons :)

Soooooo pretty!

I just wanna curl up with a cozy blanket on a breezy night with a glass of wine and make good memories in this backyard!

"The way I define happiness is being the creator of your own experience, choosing to take pleasure in what you have, right now, regardless of the circumstances, while being the best you that you can be." - Leonardo Da Vinci 

So pretty!

Wedding Wednesdays . . . ahhhh romance!

While i've always loved the thought of a big church wedding, there's something romantic about the idea of having just your closest family and friends to share in an intimate ceremony somewhere tucked away in a picturesque setting!  I have about a zillion pictures in my head of what my wedding day will one day be like . . . but until that day comes, i'm totally happy with living vicariously through everyone else's weddings on wednesdays :)

I am soooooooo getting this color next week for summer!  SO FUN!

View from my future Nantucket front porch?!  Umm, yes please :)

I am totally in love with Kate Middleton!  And now with her recent trip to Canada and the U.S., I envy her fashionista instincts even more!  This pic of her definitely makes me want to start running more.  I'd kill for those legs!!!

I tooootally wish I had the guts to do this!  So cute!  Future daughter's room idea?!  

Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. - Carl Sagan

Kicking the Bucket

One of my biggest problems in life is procrastination.  Not with small things - like laundry, or grocery shopping, or working out (I think everyone has problems with procrastination of things that are unappealing really) - but with going out and doing things that I really want to do . . . that random vacay to a small island, the Kentucky Derby, a Red Sox game, Martha's Vineyard . . . you get the point.  My problem is that I always tell myself "i'll do it next week, next month, next year" or "when I get to this age, this point with work, etc."  But the problem is, I never actually get around to "it."  I always find a reason that I can't afford it, I can't take off of work, or find some way to make myself feel guilty about enjoying something.  

But that is about to change!  I've decided to write MY Bucket List . . . before I actually kick the bucket!  lol.  I've never seen the movie but find the idea of a "Life Checklist" very appealing.  I'm a list-maker!  I will actually for vacations make lists of the lists that I need to make (e.g., placing "packing list" on a larger list of things to do in preparation).  Hello, OCD calling . . . lol.  

So as I stumbled across this "to do" this morning, I decided it would go on my personal bucket list.  Because tomorrow's not guaranteed, and today is just one day closer to kicking the bucket!

PROUD TO REPRESENT THE PINK AND GREEN!

Sippin' in Pink and Green!

I remember a long, long time ago (like 10 years ago) when I was still able to go out and drink till all hours of the night and wake up without a hangover.  Then a few years later (like 5 years ago) there came a time when I could still "hang" with the young college crowd but had to start limiting the type of alcohol I drank to alleviate the hangover factor.  And now, well, we'll just say I know more 5-year olds who have a later bedtime than me! Lol!  But nevertheless, my conservative cocktails are usually limited to a few beers or glasses of wine.  I can't drink hard alcohol pretty much ever but the temptation is still there.

That being said, I love the idea of cocktails having a "theme" or being used as an "accessory."  Here's an adorable cocktail i'll be trying this weekend with the ever-preppy theme of pink and green.  How much girlier and fun can you get?!  So cheers to sippin' this weekend in true preppy fashion!

The Alfieri

2 ounces Pama pomegranate liqueur
2 ounces tequila
Juice of 1/2 lime, plus a lime wedge to garnish
1/4 teaspoon powdered sugar
Club soda

Mix the Pama, tequila, lime juice and sugar in a tall glass, and stir to dissolve the sugar. Fill the glass three-quarters full of ice, and then top with club soda. Garnish with the lime wedge.

Time To Put On My Game Face!

So if you've been following along with my all my trials and tribulations, to the list I must now add my skin.  I'm not sure that anyone but a southern girl (muchless a Louisiana one) can truly understand the skin problems that can be caused by the intense heat and humidity that comes along about this time of year.  While I absolutely adore living in NOLA and am totally in love with all its charm, I cannot say the same about the humidity.  I really respect all the comments about how miserable it is dealing with dry skin in the North, but I cannot feel any pity for you patchy people.  There is no feeling like a wonderful July day in New Orleans when you take a shower, get all dolled up for some q.t. with your hunny or maybe a fun Girls Night Out . . . then you walk out the door and start dripping with sweat (don't even get me started on lotion and the humidity . . . then you're just all slimy)!

For most of my teen years, I had the usual breakouts and then it was suppose to stop.  Right?!  I mean you expect it with puberty and hormones and stress and all, but now as a 30s-ish gal it's just ewww!  I've used EVERY wash, scrub, mask, exfoliator, prescription cream, antibiotic under the sun and now I must accept my destiny.  My mother (50s-ish) and my grandmother (70s-ish) still both have severe acne.  So as far as I can tell, i'm stuck with somewhat problem skin forever.  I have however found some good combinations of products and medications to control it as much as possible but the combination of dryness from products with the humidity of the summers in NO is sometimes too much for my poor, over-producted face.

That being said, in light of all my healthy lifestyle changes, I have decided to dedicate more time and energy into caring properly for my skin instead of sun-worshiping and over-producting it.  (I DO apologize to it for all the Retin-A, antibiotic-type products and medications i've tried to kill it with).  Honestly i'm surprised it's as healthy as it is.  So more water, veggies, fruits and hydration is on the menu and let's not forget my heavenly La Mer eye cream without which my life would not be complete!  Very expensive but VERY worth it!

So, cheers to a new ME and (fingers crossed) to stumbling upon the ever-coveted fountain of youth this summer!

Summer Style

I heart all these cute "dos" for summer!  I only wish I had a hair fairy to make mine look as cute on a hot summery NOLA day!  A girl can dream can't she?!

And With the Wave of a Wand . . .

While I think every girl on the entire planet has had a bad hair day, i'm beginning to think i'm just having a bad hair life!  So here's the Cliff's Notes version . . .

Chapter 1: I Want My Hair To Look Like Hers
When I was growing up (mainly in my teen years), I was sooo envious of all the different things other girls would do to their hair.  My mother (being all protective and OCD) would never let me cut my hair short, or try the latest trend, or NEVER EVER color it!  That was just taboo!  So after many, many years of my growing hair envy for just about every other girl in the world, I learned to accept my "virgin" hair.  I would go to get it cut and it was always complimented by the stylists.  "It's so shiny and healthy" they'd say.  I'd smile and say thank you.  "Whatever lady, you have to compliment me cause i'm paying you" was what really crossed my mind.

Chapter 2: A New-Found Appreciation
In my 20's, I then learned to become grateful for my mother being so conservative and hindering me from making all the horrible hair mistakes she had made as a young girl.  But there was one problem.  My hair was shiny and healthy and long and thick and straighter than any styling tool could ever make hair . . . but it was completely unmanageable.  Impossible you say?  Oh no, this is correct.  I then found out that my virginal hair was SO healthy that it was "too soft" and impossible to style.  Ugh!  The hair gods strike again.

Chapter 3: What Do The Boys Like?
If there is anything i've learned from my newly-found singleness, it's that (while it doesn't hurt to make a boy happy and try new things), it certainly shouldn't be allowed that you change who you really are for them.  Partially because I was getting antsy from my lack of hair evolution, and partially because my ex was always telling me that I should "try something new," I decided to make my first hair-coloring appointment.  Scared to death and with a massive pile of pictures in tow, I made my way to "S" to see what miracles she could perform on my not-so-trendy do!  While I explained that I was not comfortable with change but was venturing to try something new, she did the unthinkable . . . she whipped out her magic coloring wand and gave me what she called a "sun-kissed" look.  While I felt like I had undergone the kind of change that only comes with a mid-life crisis, apparently the change was so subtle that no one even noticed.  And no, not even the boyfriend.  Ugh!

Chapter 4: Breaking Out The Big Guns
I needed change!  Change is good right?!  It brings freshness and life to things that were once so dull . . . O . . . M . . . G . . . what have I done!  While S was super excited that I wanted to make this new change to a beautiful golden blonde, I was very uneasy about it.  But people do this all the time.  It's JUST hair right.  It will always grow out or can be changed back.  I turned around and looked in the mirror and this was not the girl I once knew.  I was totally not meant to be anything other than a brunette!  What have I done to change myself to make someone else like me more?!

Chapter 5: For Better or Worse . . .
Equipped with a new life as a single girl . . . and with a new colorist on speed dial, I am now an almost mid-30s girl who is content on being brunette again.  After all, I did like who I was to start with, and this was the girl who he once fell in love with right?!  So long story short, or long story long really (cause i'm a rambler), my hair turned out WAY too brown.  It's lightened a little due to chemical fading and my lack of use of a color-preserving shampoo, but it's incredibly unhealthy and very very brown.  But nevertheless, it's what I want and if anything is going to change, it's going to be because it was my choice!

So, what's a girl to do now???  Maybe i'll give S a call and get her to do some highlights.  After all, it IS summer and shouldn't I be sporting that "sun-kissed look?"

Wedding Wednesdays

So, i'm thinking the only thing good about being sick and late on posting last week's Wedding Wednesday pic was that today is already time for another one and that's TWO preppy weddings in two days!

This is such a cute pic!  I'm totally going to be seeing fireworks when I wed my future hubby!

Where do I begin?  When I was a little girl everything seemed so easy.  My parents (who were in their 20's) were so old I couldn't even imagine being them.  But I knew a few things were certain . . . One, when you are a girl who is older (20's-ish), you definitely would be married and have a happy little family.  After all, that's what my parents had so that had to be the norm.  Right?!  And two, as a child having no sense of the monetary value of things, I assumed that if you worked hard then things just became yours.  Both my predictions seem to have turned out to be wrong.  

Let's just say (for argument sake) that my life had to be summed up in one sentence.  I am a 30's-ish, newly-single, home renter (not owner), finding-my-second-career college freshman with a massive amount of debt.  Now if that doesn't scream "marry me" then i'm not sure what does!  LOL.  Why can I "laugh out loud" about this seemingly-horrific synopsis that I call my life?  Because i've acknowledged my mistakes and am trying to change them.  I'm not sure where I went wrong but it did happen.  I was raised by wonderful, loving, responsible parents who always taught me right from wrong, and the ins-and-outs of the money-loving world.  So how did I screw up so bad?!  I can't tell you the answer, but I will say it will change.  If there's not anything else that i've learned from the past 10 years of mistakes, it's that no matter what happens and who saves you, you are the one who has to live with your decisions and learn from them.

I've gone from commitment-phobe to wedding-crazy.  Completely broke to learning how to stretch the almighty dollar.  Apartment to home renter.  Bored college student to a 4.0 girl juggling 3 jobs finding out what I truly love to do.  And most importantly, i've gone from a selfish non-appreciative young adult to someone who is finding herself and learning to live healthy and make each day have greater value than the last.

So why now, why this spill-my-guts blog with all this unnecessary venting?  It started when I took a psychology class last semester and learned a few things about myself along the way.  My professor insisted (and for a grade) that we keep a written journal throughout the months we spent in class.  You could write, vent, use poetry, or whatever else helped you express what was going on in your life.  The content wasn't so important as was the experience of using writing and "getting it all out" as a tool to better ourselves.  Her lesson was that the more you get out of your head and onto the paper, then the less distractions you have and the more focused you could be on improving yourself.  So week after week I wrote feelings or events or whatever else I thought or felt and surprisingly I learned alot about where I was in life and what I needed to do to change the things I wasn't happy with.  So now, away from the popularity of facebook and in an effort to express myself and grow, i've started this blog to say all the things I think and love . . . and even some of the things that aren't so great to hear. 

So, if you care to follow and hear the bad along with the good, I welcome the company.  And if not, that's okay too.  But life is hard sometimes and venting is necessary.  It is also a gift and it needs to be appreciated.  So i've wiped my slate clean and will not take another day for granted.  I will do only the things that make ME happy and not change myself for others.  Thanks to everyone who has listened.

Cheers to a new start!

Where are the motivation gods when I need them???

I'm re-posting these motivational words from a Nike ad because i'm totally killing myself trying to get some discipline enough to get back in shape.  (That sentence totally isn't grammatically correct but gets the point across)!  You'll see in my next few posts how things have changed for me personally and getting back in shape and taking care of ME has become priority numero uno!  I hope everyone has a GREAT day!

God shook his head the day he built her, oh, but I bet he smiled.

YOU WERE BORN A DAUGHTER.  YOU LOOKED UP TO YOUR MOTHER.  YOU LOOKED UP TO YOUR FATHER.  YOU LOOKED UP TO EVERYONE.

YOU WANTED TO BE A PRINCESS.  YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE A PRINCESS.  YOU WANTED TO OWN A HORSE.  YOU WANTED TO BE A HORSE.  YOU WANTED YOUR BROTHER TO BE A HORSE.  YOU WANTED TO WEAR PINK.  YOU NEVER WANTED TO WEAR PINK.

YOU WANTED TO BE A VETERINARIAN.  YOU WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT.  YOU WANTED TO BE THE PRESIDENT'S VETERINARIAN.  YOU WERE PICKED LAST FOR THE TEAM.  YOU WERE THE BEST ONE ON THE TEAM.  YOU REFUSED TO BE ON THE TEAM.  YOU WANTED TO BE GOOD IN ALGEBRA.  YOU HID DURING ALGEBRA.

YOU WANTED THE BOYS TO NOTICE YOU.  YOU WERE AFRAID THE BOYS WOULD NOTICE YOU.  YOU STARTED TO GET ACNE.  YOU STARTED TO GET BREASTS.  YOU STARTED TO GET ACNE THAT WAS BIGGER THAN YOUR BREASTS.  YOU WOULDN'T WEAR A BRA.  YOU COULDN'T WAIT TO WEAR A BRA.  YOU COULDN'T FIT INTO A BRA.  YOU DIDN'T LIKE THE WAY YOU LOOKED.  YOU DIDN'T LIKE THE WAY YOUR PARENTS LOOKED.  YOU DIDN'T WANT TO GROW UP.

YOU HAD YOUR FIRST BEST FRIEND.  YOU HAD YOUR FIRST DATE.  YOU HAD YOUR SECOND BEST FRIEND.  YOU HAD YOUR SECOND FIRST DATE.  YOU SPENT HOURS ON THE TELEPHONE.

YOU GOT KISSED.  YOU GOT KISSED BACK.  YOU WENT TO THE PROM.  YOU DIDN'T GO TO THE PROM.  YOU WENT TO THE PROM WITH THE WRONG PERSON.  YOU SPENT HOURS ON THE TELEPHONE.

YOU FELL IN LOVE.

YOU FELL IN LOVE.

YOU FELL IN LOVE.

YOU LOST YOUR BEST FRIEND.  YOU LOST YOUR OTHER BEST FRIEND.  YOU REALLY FELL IN LOVE.  YOU BECAME A STEADY GIRLFRIEND.  YOU BECAME A SIGNIFICANT OTHER.

YOU BECAME SIGNIFICANT TO YOURSELF.

SOONER OR LATER, YOU START TAKING YOURSELF SERIOUSLY.  YOU KNOW WHEN YOU NEED A BREAK.  YOU KNOW WHEN YOU NEED A REST.  YOU KNOW WHAT TO GET WORKED UP ABOUT AND WHAT TO GET RID OF.  AND YOU KNOW WHEN IT'S TIME TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.  TO DO SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU STRONGER, FASTER, MORE COMPLETE.

BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO HAVE A LIFE.  AND NEVER TOO LATE TO CHANGE ONE.

JUST DO IT.

Wedding Wednesdays

So, I think i've finally recovered from a yucky stomach bug and am back to blogging finally!  Being that it's Tuesday, i'm more than a little behind on my Wedding Wednesdays photos and all my posting in general.  so here's the first of several . . .

While i've always had super traditional views on weddings, as i've gotten older I feel like some outdoor weddings or receptions can really set a romantic mood.  I love the thought of a traditional New Orleans church wedding, but also adore the beautiful scenery that can be found in the New England areas.  This photo has such a relaxing and peaceful scene with the sunset and water in the background.  Maybe i'll just have to have BOTH!  A girl can dream can't she?! :)

I want to learn more and more to see as beautiful what is necessary in things; I shall be one of those who makes things beautiful. - Friedrich Nietzsche

Now this is Xtreme Tailgating!

While most of my tailgating memories involve massive amounts of keg beer along with my fellow (and now retired) Xtreme Tailgating bffs (special thanks to Mr. Tommy), i've found new ways to embrace my love for spending Saturdays decked out in purple and gold!  I would like to formally thank the creator of the SEC line of Jack Rogers this year!  As a staple in every southern girl's closet, Jacks take on a whole new meaning when worn in your favorite college colors!  So here's to my Tigers . . . and to spending this football season in style!

I really really really want Santa to bring me one of these for Christmas!!!  Being on the water is sooooo peaceful!

"Life will break you.  Nobody can protect you from that, and living alone won't either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning.  You have to love.  You have to feel.  It is the reason you are here on earth.  You are here to risk your heart.  You are here to be swallowed up.  And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt, or death brushes near, let yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in heaps, wasting their sweetness.  Tell yourself you tasted as many as you could."  - Louise Erdrich

Door Dilemma

With all the charm that comes along with living in a shotgun-style home in New Orleans, comes a few decorating dilemmas.  The first problem is that all the rooms are somewhat open to one another and this can pose problems for decorating and the "separation" of areas of the house.  My bathroom door is basically in the middle of my kitchen and is right next to the back door.  So denoting that this is the actual "bathroom" can be quit a task, but nevertheless an important one!

As anyone who lives in New Orleans, or has visited here knows, in lieu of having standard street signs years ago, NOLA had classic blue and white tiles across each corner with the street names.  The style of these letters has become quite trendy the last few years but it is also reminiscent of the historic New Orleans that we know, love and believe in!  That being said, I had a custom "restroom" sign made of miniature street tiles for the bathroom door that resides in my little shotgun kitchen.  Thanks so much to NOLAtiles.com for re-creating a little piece of New Orleans history for me :)

How To Treat A Southern Woman

I am totally in love with this section of Southern Proper's website called "Pransey P.!"  If my future hubby is out there . . . he better get to googling this ;)  This post is soooo adorable!!!

Gentleman of the South, this is a must read. While us women may be confusing, hard to read, or just downright crazy- we are what makes the world go ’round. You men may be the head, but we are the neck, turning the head any which way we please. Knowing how to swoon, charm, and capture our hearts will get you far in life. Learning early on how to love us right ain’t easy, but luckily, you gentleman won’t regret following these simple steps. - Be compassionate and understanding. Us women want to be able to tell our girls, “Oh, he is such a good man.” We want a man to tell us often how important we are to him, as well as showing that with his actions. We love the little things in life, so don’t ever think a kind deed is not enough. - Real simple: hold the door, and make sure you open the car door. Always. There’s never an excuse not too unless your gal really insists. Even then, fight for it. Chivalry is not dead. - Hold her hand as much as you can. This simple act doesn’t get enough credit. - It’s always better to be polite than always right. Pick your battles. Don’t always try to get the last word in. You’ll end up with a door slammed in your face, with a potential silent treatment to follow. - Give thoughtful gifts. Women love surprises! The price tag is irrelevant when entering this arena. See what she likes, what she appreciates, and go from there. Unexpected little gifts are key- it shows her that you were just thinking about her. - Flowers. Now boys, this is at the heart of simplicity. You can order online at flowers.com, or simply swing by a store. Yes gentlemen, even Kroger and Publix can provide this for you. Bouquets aren’t always necessary. If she really likes yellow roses, just getting her a single yellow rose with a nice ribbon will steal her heart. - Now listen up to this one; when you are with her, pay attention to her. I know the blackberry, iPhone days are goin’ strong, but make sure you are “here” when she’s around. There’s nothing more distasteful than ignoring your woman. - Be polite and complimentary. Always say “thank you,” “please,” “i’m sorry,” and “I promise.” Use sweet words with her. Your mama should have taught you this well. If not, work off of it. “Sweetheart, darlin’, girl” work fine. Rest assured, she’s gonna love it. At all costs, avoid “dude.” Unless you’re following that statement with a slap on the backside and a cold beer, don’t go there. - Be a good communicator. Danger words, “fine,” “whatever,” etc. Be honest and speak your mind, with a filter please. Make sure she knows where you stand, how you’re feeling, what’s going on. As much as you boys think we are nuts, men have their moments too. Don’t make her play a guessing game. - Make an effort to get to know her family and friends. Go out of your way to impress them. Women care a lot about what people close to them think. If her friends and family aren’t impressed, then frankly, give her two weeks until it’s over. - Compliment her, always. - Avoid jealousy at all costs. If your woman says she loves you and is faithful, trust her. Yes, women need to get better at this too. Trust makes the world go around, and literally y’all, ain’t nothing worse than a crazy boyfriend. - Last but certainly not least, if y’all have reached this point in a relationship, say the three words people are scared to death to say. “I love you” says it all. If you can’t muster those words, use Blake Shelton’s “Honeybee” lyrics to help guide you. If she’s a born and bred Southern girl, she’ll love that just as much. Alright gentlemen, go forth and conquer. Good luck! Simply Sweet, Pransey

Love is not a because, it's a no matter what. - Jodi Picoult

Nutty for Norts!

While I love keeping up with what's going on in the fashion world, and I love an occasional Girls Night Out as an excuse to get all dolled up, I will be the first to admit that i'm probably not going to end up on any E! Top Ten Fashion Lists anytime soon!  lol.  I mean my favorite thing about graduating nursing school is going to be the fact that I can wear scrubs ever day!  That being said, one staple in this girl's closet is the ever-so-comfy Norts!  If you're not familiar with what Norts are, you are WAY behind in the fashion world . . . or at least in the world of running fashion!  Norts are Nike Tempo running shorts and (aside from my favorite flannel pjs) are by far the most comfy clothing EVER!  I only have about a zillion pairs and can make them go with anything just shy of camoflauging them as formal wear (and yes, they go perfectly with my favorite preppy pearls) ;)  Below is a pic of the newest addition to my collection and I cannot wait till they come in!  What's better than another pair of my most favoritest Norts . . . well having them in pink polka dots, of course!

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. - E.E. Cummings

It takes strength to remember, it takes another kind of strength to forget.

Wait for the one who will be your best friend, who will drop everything to be with you at any time no matter what. Wait for the one who makes you smile like no other, and when they smile you know they need you. Wait for the one who wants to show you off when you are in sweats and have no makeup on, but appreciates it when you get all dolled up for him. Most of all, wait for the one who will put you at the center of his universe, because obviously, he’s at the center of yours.