WILW and Oh How Pinteresting!

Hey bloggie buds! I'm back after a brief hiatus. The last few days Ive been at my parents' house making sure my dad was taken care of while my mom went to my grandfather's funeral. I also got away for part of the weekend (Fri-Sun) with MG up to Philly since we had previously planned on going up there and I didn't want him to miss out on family time. It was an absolute blast, a nice, happy distraction, and I'm really glad that we were able to do it. Every time I'm with his family, it makes me realize why he is the amazing guy that he is--his family is great!

But, today is Wednesday and I'm linking up with Michelle at The Vintage Apple for Oh How Pinteresting and Michelle at this kind of love for WILW:

I'm loving all of the love and support you all offered up and sent my way when you found out about my grandfather. The messages you sent were so heartwarming and they really made me feel supported and loved during a hard time, so thank you!

I'm loving that Cooper got to spend 3 days of fun with MG's nieces and nephew this past weekend. Lets just say that Cooper spend the entire 2.5 hour ride home passed out, and when we got to my parents house, he walked himself into his kennel and went to sleep some more. He had an awesome time and even got to play with a dog ten times his size (literally):

Gunther the 100+ pound Golden-doodle, Cooper the 11 pound mini-poodle
(The funny thing here is that Cooper is actually older than Gunther hehe) 

Cooper got to participate in "dress up"...whether or not he wanted to haha

I'm loving how supportive MG has been through all of the stuff that has happened with my family since we've started dating. When I found out about my grandfather, and got off the phone with my mom, he immediately opened his arms while sitting on the couch and let me cry. He rubbed my back and made me feel safe. I thank my lucky stars every day for this amazing guy. 

I'm loving that I got some amazing deals at the outlets in PA this weekend--including a sweater dress from Loft for $20 that was originally $80. Score! I also did a bit of online shopping while at my parents house in preparation for MGs and my trip to Jamaica. My credit card might be cringing a little bit...but I don't care! :)

I'm loving lobster mac and cheese. MGs parents took us out to dinner on Saturday night and MG's mom and I both got the lobster mac and cheese. This dish was decadent and mouth-wateringly amazing. We also ordered fried pickles as an appetizer which were also incredible. If you ever get the chance to have lobster mac and cheese...DO IT!

I'm loving that our Jamaica trip is almost exactly a month away. Bring it on warm weather, sunshine, yummy drinks and vacation!

And, as always, I'm loving all of my awesome finds on Pinterest on a regular basis, and am linking up with Michelle:

This week I've been pinning....

Baked Avocado Fries

Seems to happen to me EVERY week!

I love this outfit--maybe different shoes, but it looks so cute and comfy!

just too cute!

Butternut Squash Macaroni with Tomatoes, Blue Cheese and Sage because I'm obsessed with mac and cheese in general, and especially since that lobster mac this weekend!

I don't know if you can actually read this, but if you can't the pin is here...and it's totally worth the read. You will giggle!

I hope you guys are having an awesome week. Thank you again for reaching out and for the prayers and thought you sent out for my grandpa. It meant a lot to me, and I'm sure it meant a lot to him, as well!
Tons of hugs to you!!

A Goodbye...

Hey friends....it's with a heavy heart that I write this morning, letting you know that my grandpa passed away last night. At the age of 91 and 364 days. Yes, he died the day before his 92nd birthday.

Although this isn't terribly surprising news for the family (his health had been steadily declining over the past few months), it is still sad. My grandparents were both at the same nursing home. My grandmother has Alzheimers and basically hasn't really been able to communicate much for the last 10 years or so.  Yesterday they took her in to see him, as they were used to having regular time together. They spent some time, and when she was taken to go have dinner, he passed. It was like he hung on to say good-bye to her, the woman he had loved and been married to for 70+ years. That part pulls at my heartstrings a little bit :)

I appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers yesterday. I'm sure that they helped him along and comforted him on his journey.  I can't tell you how much this community means to me, with the outpouring of love and support that we give to each other. It's really incredible. You guys mean a lot to me, and I'm incredibly thankful to have people like you in my life for the happy times, and the times when we need some support. Sincerely, thank you.

A Bunch of Random Shizzzzz

Hey buddies! It's allllllmost Friday, and that means it's almost a 3-day weekend (thank you Abe Lincoln and G-Dubbs for being born!) I'm ready for a long weekend like you wouldn't believe!

**Also, I am guest posting today for Casey over at Poodleism while she is vacationing away in Hawaii (that lucky duck), so go check it out!**

I'm supposed to be going up to Philly this weekend with MG to visit his family, but those plans might change because yesterday we got some bad news about my Grandpa. He hasn't been doing well for the last few months, and it seems things have taken a turn for the worse. He's not able to eat (is having trouble swallowing), and is dealing with fever and infection, etc. I'm keeping him in my prayers...I just don't want him to be in pain.

So, plans might change. In the meantime, I'm gonna talk about happier, lighter things--I just wanted to let you guys know what was going on, and if you have any prayers to offer up, I'd very much appreciate it :)

On to happier and lighter:

Randomness #1:

I went grocery shopping yesterday and Barefoot Wine was on sale for $5.99 so I added two of those bad boys (one Moscato and one Riesling) to my cart. When I got to the register the lady asked me if I wanted a wine bag for them and I said "sure" thinking she meant the little paper bags. Noooo, she did not. She came back with this AMAZEBALLS little bag, which I had not seen before:

It's like those fabric grocery bags, but its smaller and has dividers built in for wine bottles!! After seeing there were SIX slots, I kicked myself for not taking full advantage and buying 4 more bottles! haha, just kidding......(kind of)

Best part? It was FREE! So, find you a store nearby (It was Giant around here, for you D-M-V peeps) and go get you one!! :)

Random-ness#2:

I thought I'd share MG's and my picture from our lovely V-day out since I didn't get it uploaded until last night:

Don't judge my wine glass....originally it was the size of MG's and when I asked for another glass it came in that fish bowl massive glass. Apparently the waiter thought that I enjoy large quantities of wine (and he may have been correct) hehe

During that photo upload I realized I never uploaded my pictures from New Years, either. I tell you, I'm slackin', people. Here's one shot from that night as well since I obviously never shared it with you:

Randomness #3

I'm excited for a new purchase I made to get delivered:

I have been seeing all of these rave reviews about the Clarisonic but I just can't bring myself to spend over $100 on it. So, when I saw this guy, and it had really good reviews too, I figured I'd give it a try. Once it arrives, I'll definitely do a review for you all. My skin has been bugging me lately and Im hoping this helps out! And for $26 bucks on Amazon (plus free shipping), I'm more than willing to give it a whirl!

Randomness #4:

 I saw on facebook a friend of mine just got back from a trip to the Maldives with his gf for his 30th birthday. They also got engaged during the trip. I saw the pics and I can't imagine a more romantical spot for an engagement. Or a honeymoon. Heck, for anything, really. But, I had to look up where exactly the Maldives are. In case YOU are as geography-inept as I am, it's in the Indian Ocean. And it looks like:

Can we say HEAVEN? Let's just say this place is quickly getting added to my list of "Places I Must Go To"....unfortunately I think it might have to be added under the sub heading of "when I have a buttload of money" Ahhh, a girl can dream, can't she??

Randomness#5:

Today is my blog-iversary! I only just realized it (and had to come back in here and edit this post). I can't believe that I've been doing this for an entire year! And, what amazing people I've connected with through it all. You guys are awesome and have helped me through a ton of stuff over the past year. I am so excited for all of the people I'll continue to connect with, and meet! Here's to one year!

Hope you guys have great Thursdays!! And dont forget to check out that guest post o' mine at Poodleism. It's a good one, I promise! :)

WILW and Oh How Pinteresting!

Happy Hump Day!! I'm fresh off of a lovely night out with my beau last night where we had DELISH Italian food (I'm still drooling thinking about it), yummy wine, a light and heavenly dessert and lots of quality time. Love!

I'm jumping right into things today since I am running short on time this morning!

Linking up with Jamie at this kind of love for WILW

I'm loving the nice night out with MG for V-day. He loved his gifts and even put the Scrabble picture frame on the little mantle that you see right when you walk into his apartment, next to a picture of us.

I'm loving the funny and thoughtful/sweet things MG did for me for Vday. Flowers delivered at work, nice dinner out, and a really sweet card that contained a McDonald's gift card (this was the funny part and is an inside joke), a gift card to Panera (because he knows how much I crave that Broccoli Cheddar Soup in the bread bowl...I probably request about a million times a month if we can go there haha) and a gift card for Amazon so I can get more sweet reads for my Kindle. I loved all of it cuz he put some thought into them and I can TOTALLY use them all!

I'm loving that the weather is nice today. No freezing fingers this morning!

I'm loving that I have MG saying "amazeballs" now....and he even wrote it in my valentine's day card. Muahahah!

I'm loving  that we are going to spend some time with MG's family this weekend. And loving even more that his mom told him yesterday how excited she is for us to come up this weekend. Although, I think it has more to do with her being able to see Cooper. I can't really blame her:

He IS quite a cutie :)

I'm loving that my good buddy Genna didn't get ticked at me when I realized that I double booked this upcoming weekend. Thanks, girl! Totally looking forward to her visit--I miss my Genners!!

And, as always I'm loving Pinterest and am linking up with Michelle at The Vintage Apple for Oh How Pinteresting!

This week I've been pinning...

I love purple!!!! I would totally do the flat with this (or I wouldnt be able to walk in those heels)

Raspberry Mango Sunrise Smoothie  Yummy!!

I am an expert at wine CPR...

Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili  Altho the pic looks a little nasty, read the ingredients and you'll see why it probably tastes amazeballs

Just a little touch of cuteness for the day after Valentine's Day :)

What are YOU pinning? Go over and link up!
Have a fantabulous Wednesday!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day, bloggie friends! I spent a bit of time this morning looking for a funny image to head up this post and I've found one that made me giggle:

The teacher in me definitely can appreciate the "fiscally responsible"-ness :)

So I already received a special surprise yesterday from my Valentine, MG. He sent me flowers at work, and they smell yummy. It also accompanied a sweet card, both of which I'll share with you guys:

Ahhh, I love that sweet boyfriend! I love the flowers, but the card is my favorite part (must be the "words of affirmation" part of me--Love Languages-- haha)

So, last week I told you all that I had been working on something kind of special for MG. After all, this is the first year that I've been with someone who I trust 100% and know that he loves me just as much as I love him and I wanted to make sure that I made him feel special this V-day, too!

This is what I got/made:

This was more of a "ha ha" gift, but I am ALWAYS teasing MG about the fact that he  loves to nap. And comments frequently with things like "just a ten minute nap...." or "I think I'll take a quick nap"...this seemed right up his alley and I'm pretty sure he'll laugh when he sees it.....and probably use it often :)

This is half Vday/ half "YAY new job" present, but I have been trying to get MG to buy some kind of dress shirts with purple in it. For his new job, we had to go get him some new suits, and at the store, I saw this shirt and said how awesome it would look with the new gray suit he just bought. He actually agreed (insert my shocked face), but when we saw the price tag of $80 we both scoffed. I went back a couple weeks later and decided to splurge so he has something nice to wear during his first week of work, and to let him know I care. And, it's purple :)

Lastly, I made something. I had seen an idea like this on the Thrifty Decor Chick's blog last year sometime after Valentine's Day and was like "Man, that's a great idea"...luckily the whole reasoning behind it worked out for me:

(sorry, I blocked out the bottom for MG's identity secrecy)

Since MG and I are HUGE Words with Friends rivals (and by rivals I mean, he beats me 9 times out of 10 and I get mad haha), this seemed appropriate. I made the words intertwine and then added our names to the bottom...which also happen to be able to intertwine as well.  The background was a pattern I saw online, but when I printed it out, it was fuzzy and not really crisp, so I went over the whole thing, by hand (do I love this kid, or what?! :) ) It took a bit of time, but I'm proud of it, and I hope that, even though it's all sentimental and mushy, that MG will like it. I'm pretty sure he will :)

What did you do this Valentine's Day to make sure the person you're with knows that you care? Share.....so that I can have some ideas for next year! hahaha

Happy Valentine's Day, friends! Sending you lots of love and hugs!

Weekend Recap with a Book and Movie Review!

Happy start of the week, friends! I had some trouble getting up this morning because it is FRIGID here in the DC area. Snuggled up all warm and cozy in my bed was definitely where I wanted to stay this morning. But, alas, I am here at work, and ready to take on the week. Especially with Valentine's Day coming up and the prospect of a long weekend!

This weekend was kind of busy, but I'll do some highlights for you:

1) Friday night MG's best friend's wife was in town for Gilt City (part of Gilt Groupe), and they were doing kind of a clothing sale at an art gallery in DC, so we went to the VIP event and scored some nice deals. I got a skirt for $29 that was originally $138  and MG got a tie for 30 bucks that was originally 100 something. There was a nice dress there that I thought was gorgeous and upon looking at the price tag I saw that it was $499. I thought to myself "Oooh, how much is it on the discount?" No...that WAS the discount...from $3,000!!! Needless to say, I passed on that one! :) After some good deals and free drinks MG and I headed back home and had a night in with lots of really good conversation.

2) Saturday, in between flurries, MG and I went bowling with a couple friend of ours, which was a ton of fun, and we discovered Bud Light Platinum. Have you heard of it? I hadn't until this trip. It's got 6% alcohol so you will be on your butt MUCH faster than with a regular Bud Light (consider that you're warning) haha. MG and I emerged from the bowling alley victorious in every game except the last one--and that was only because we gave them a 50 point advantage....and after 3 of those Platinum beers, my bowling was NOT as accurate as it had been lol. We still beat them but only by 29 points so we still technically won, even with my semi-beer induced lack of skills lol

3) The Vow: MG was a good enough sport (and he owed my from Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) to go see The Vow yesterday. I thought it was cute, and had NO idea that it was based on a true story! I think once MG saw that at the end (cuz he clearly missed it in the beginning), I think he was a little more impressed. I was hoping for a bit more cheesy lovey dovey stuff in the movie but it was more about the conflict of her not remembering. Was still a good chick flick and I would recommend seeing it (if chick flicks are your thing). It's cute, but I was expected MUCH more sappy stuff---and I'm pretty sure MG was happy that it wasn't as I wished lol.


4) MG and I finally got to have dinner with my parents. Weather and healthiness all cooperated and we met up near my parents house at an Italian restaurant. It went really well, as I anticipated that it would. MG and my dad got along like champs--talking about all kinds of history related things (which I had said from the beginning that they would be good with), and MG asked about my dad's time in the Air Force, etc. My mom brought me and MG Valentine's cards and chocolates, which was super sweet of her. Along with a HUGE package of Ju-Ju hearts which are like seriously my favorite candy of all time (not the kind with the sugar on it--the plain ones). Mmmm. Overall, it was awesome and I was SUPER glad that we were finally able to do it. And, it was my dad's first "out to dinner" since his heart attack, and I was happy that it all went smoothly! Yay!


I also finished the book Matched by Ally Condie this weekend on my Kindle. I had read reviews that if you liked the Hunger Games, you would like this book. And while the book was ok, it was far from great. It's another book about America now being run by "Officials" and "The Society" where every aspect of life is regimented and controlled by higher ups. Maybe it's because this is the 3rd book/series I've read with this "theme" but it just didn't feel very original and I thought that some of the writing felt really forced at times. Like, over the top imagery that just felt like it was put in there just to put it in there, not for any real purpose. I thought it was ok. It was an easy read and I might read the next book in the series just to see what happens, but I'm not jumping at it like I was when reading The Hunger Games or Divergent (both of which, I highly recommend). Out of 5 stars, I'd give it maybe 2.5-3. Luckily I got it by renting it from the public library so I don't feel like I wasted money on buying it.

I hope you guys all had great weekends! Can't wait to read about them!! :)

A Flaw with Pinterest

I know....you read my title and are probably flaming with anger. How DARE I say that there is a flaw with the awesome, amazing, time-filling, spectacular, wonderous Pinterest?!?!?!

Well, there is. I hate to break it to you.

I found this pin:

{via}

Do you see what is SO wrong about this?? It is so insensitive....

How dare they post something like this that the Amish would obviously SO enjoy, but fail to realize they do not have electricity, and therefore do not have access to this amazing find on Pinterest! Travesty.

This is a slap in the face to the Amish. I apologize, Amish individuals....although, once again, you will never be able to read this.....unless....

teehee

P.S. this post is in no way meant to offend....it is oooozing with sarcasm, and it's only me being a dork and having a random musing during the middle of the day. I hope it made you laugh....even if it was just a teeeeeeny little bit! :)