Yesterday was just not my day. It ended well with wine, best friends and pedicures, but it didn't start that way.

 I had a crazy dream about Mark leaving me for "Melissa" (?) who works (and lives in the basement of) McDonald's. Mark decided he'd rather live in McDonald's so he took all our money and left me. Then the dream got REAL weird when I went to a midget diving contest at the YMCA.

After I woke up, shower, confirmed with Mark that he doesn't know any McDonald's employees, I took the dog for a walk....and walked straight into a gigantic spider web. The kind of spider web that has all sorts of critters trapped in it. Those critters, were now trapped in my hairspray.

After the walk, I tried to comb out said critters and got completely freaked out by the fact that their wings were still flapping. 

 I got to work and was greeted by my boss making some weirdo comment about my high heels. And saluting me. Yes, saluting me. And commenting on how tall I am. If that doesn't make an already self-conscious girl want to dive under her desk, I don't know what will.

So, in short. I was in a foul mood. 

And I was sending out super bad, negative, energy.

But, today will be MUCH better. 

I've already decided.

(To homegirl at my office who cut me off mid sentence...I'm taking a deep breath, counting to ten, not mentally flicking  you off ...and dropping it. Boom.)

Prosciutto and Lemon-Garlic Ricotta Flatbread with Arugula and Mozzarella
A bottle of sauvignon blanc

In the car on the way home from a photography planning meeting at Green Valley Grill:

Me: "If I had one awesome talent, I wish I was an incredible singer."

Mark: "Yeah, me too. Like Enrique Iglesias."

You.will.love.this.

This is truly the best thing you've seen in a while, I promise! I'm such a sucker for kids saying silly things, and that paired with the Flight of the Concord guys...simply awesome. 

Bret and Jemaine (I don't know their real names) are talking to kids and asking them to help come up with lyrics for a song that will raise money for children in New Zealand hospitals. 

Watch the whole way through, the song is after the little interview part.

Because I don't know how to add a video to my blog (dur), click here.

Just something to think about...

He is a sponsor of the "Sanctity of Human Life Act," which gives states the right to ban abortions without exception. He seeks cuts to Medicaid funding and shifting distribution of those funds from the federal government to the state governments, thereby likely obviating the constitutional protection Roe provides. He voted for the Pence Amendment, which would have eliminated federal funding of Planned Parenthood's provision of reproductive health services, i.e., birth control, (and not abortion). According to one writer, "...he (Ryan) has checked every box on the anti-abortion list. That includes support for 'personhood' (constitutional) amendments that protect life from conception -- in other words, completely banning abortion."

And just a few more, 'cause I love um!

What?? What war on women?? 

On Sunday, I struck gold.

Everyday, around 3:00pm, I catch a glance of my face in the mirror and work and think,
"oh shit, how long have I looked like this?"

All traces of makeup that I've applied around 7:15 that morning, gone.

On Sunday, after a glorious bacon, onion and emmentaler flatbread (and bloody mary) at Proximity, my mom and I headed over to the new Sephora in search of a foundation that would actually stay on our faces. Novel idea, huh?

We found it!

Tarte Amazonian Clay

Yes, clay, say sumthin. I've never used a foundation brush before, only sponges. I've been converted (and I think I embarrassed my mom because I asked the lady how often you had to clean the brush, ha!) Using the brush, this foundation truly makes your skin look airbrushed. It's good for all skin types, the Amazonian clay will intuitively adjust to address your complexion concerns. It reduces the appearance of my pores and also covers all the red splotchy spots on the sides of my face. The best part, 12 hour coverage.  The price, a little more than I would typically spend, $38.00. BUT, if it's going to last all day and I wont feel like I butt face come 3:00pm...totally worth it!

Oh, one more thing. When you go to Sephora, don't be afraid to ask for a tester to take home. They make up little sample size testers of everything so you can try it for a few days before you buy it.

Cant it be Sunday again??

 

 

 

Suitcase Shelves

Our little house is s.l.o.w.l.y starting to come together. All of my consignment stalking shopping paid off big time a few weeks ago. We purchased a brand new (with tags) white leather Natuzzi section, chair and ottoman at a fraction of the retail cost. It was a showroom sample and after checking it out, we quickly snagged it. I LOVE this consignment shop, it's filled with brand new items. A few days ago I purchased a big, steel blue, rug and we're currently ISO a living room table. I'll post pictures of the living room...if I can remember.

My next project is to tackle the half bathroom downstairs. Currently, all that's in it is the sink, toilet and a mirror that I'm not so thrilled with but I'm going to have to make work. I've poured over Craigslist and FINALLY found a vintage suitcase in my price range ($20 big ones) that will work for a shelf. 

My $20 find

Once the suitcase is cut in half and secured shut, this is what the finished project will (hopefully) look like...

They'll hang over the toilet and I have absolutely no idea what to put on them. I can assure you that a nasty blue vase and red roses will not be part of the decor. 

Anyways, say a little prayer for me around 2:00pm as I meet with the person to pick up the case. If you don't see or hear from me, assume it was the Craigslist killer.

Holy Shift Dress!!

Love Lilly Pulitzer as much as I do?

Quick!!

Click here for the unbelievable sale!

 

Anniversary and the Courthouse

Two years ago today, Mark and I were suitin' up for our wedding day. For Visa purposes, we needed to get married within a certain number of days after Mark returned to the US for good. We didn't have enough time to plan a full blown wedding, so the courthouse would have to do! (The "Wedding B" would follow in May.) 

As we approached the High Point courthouse, I remember feeling really nervous. I wasn't nervous about marrying my best friend...I was nervous about HOW we were going to get married. I kept thinking "great, they're probably going to think I'm knocked up." When we walked into the magistrate's office, my anxiety heightened as he peered at us through the glass divider. We passed a few documents though the window in his office for him to look at. Awesome, this is the booking room at the courthouse. I'm getting married where people make their one phone call before they go to the clinker. 

Thankfully, the  magistrate asked if we would like to go outside. Yes, PULEASE! Although, I couldn't stop laughing at the "PLEASE DON'T TOUCH THE POLICE DOG" signs. I also completely forgot that we'd have to say our vows. For some reason I thought we'd sign the paper and wham-bam-thank-you-mam. Instead, we said our vows outside of the High Point courthouse near some loading dock looking thing, a few dumpsters and police dog signs.

After our wedding, we threw a small party with our family and closest friends. We ate, drank champagne, played corn hole and wandered to the nearby bars. On May 21st we celebrated with 150 of out friends and family...and I got to wear an even better dress :) 

It's so strange how 2 years can seem like forever ago and just yesterday.

All in all, I'm a pretty lucky girl. Not only did I get to have two really memorable weddings, but I got an awesome husband out of it as well. Thank you for making me a happy, loved girl.

And P.S. 

I'm trying REAL hard to plan a "Wedding C." Third time's a charm, right? ;) 

Bomb Threat Friday

"Hey, call my office and place a bomb threat. Then we can go drink bottomless mimosas outside!" -a anonymous friend

Sounds good in theory...but speaking from experience, they don't let you leave the building during a bomb threat. How do I know this? Oh, well, ya know...we had a good ol' fashion bomb threat this morning.

I'll elaborate. 

I'm sitting at my desk typing away doing really important things that keep this world spinning at a constant rate...I digress. A client that just left the building called from the parking lot.

Client - "I'm outside and I'm not allowed to get in my car or go back into the building      because there is a bomb threat."
Me -      "Umm, what?"

Client - "Yeah, they think there's a bomb in your parking lot in some bag or something."

Me (looking out the windows noticing that we're swarmed by the 5-o) - "Oh man, thanks for calling."

My first question, whyyyyy havent we been informed?! Weird. 
I look out the window and sure enough, some little suitcase with cords sticking out of it is chillin' in the parking lot. The police have blocked off every street to and from our office. The bomb squad RV is unpacking the robot. I'm not gunna lie...my heart was racing a little. 

Next thing ya know the little bomb robot comes wheeling down Eugene Court ready to check out the case. (It was around this point where I was getting REALLY frustrated that I don't have a camera phone!)

The robot does a few laps around the case and sorta stops. Good for nothing robot. Next, up is the guy in the bomb suit. 

 

This dude had so much padding on, he could hardly bend down to the suitcase. (Sidenote: he wasn't wearing any gloves, which truly troubled me.) After inspecting the wires and case it was determined that it wasn't a bomb. They remove the traffic cones, but not before the robot was safely across the street. A oblivious car can down the road and was pretty confused by the robot crossing in front of him. 

Oh, and they just left that suitcase. I might grab it for a souvy! 

So, anyways...back to my point. You dont get to go home during a bomb threat. If anything, my lunch was a little delayed. Womp womp.

Also, good thing its Friday because my trash can smells like something died in it.

 

What dating a hoodrat will do to you.  

Good Eats

Last night we had a funeral....for the death of summer. Mark started back at school yesterday, just as I was getting used to not sharing the bathroom in the morning. Womp womp.  

My mom was out of town last night and seeing that I was making a "man" dinner, I invited my dad over to join us. I decided to "skinny" these meatballs up a bit by using turkey instead of beef and cooking them in the spaghetti sauce rather then frying them (which would have been awesome). Also, I didn't use half as much cheese as what's pictured below, sorry fellas, this chick's got a bridesmaid dress to squeeze into soon!

I served the pasta with a big salad and a bottle of 2006 Shingleback Shiraz from McLaren Vale. It's a lush, inky red, with flavors of plum and black cherry laced with oak. This drop would accompany a steak perfectly...but turkey meatballs will also do!

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

8 ounces mozzarella cheese
1 large shallot, chopped
1/4 cup (5 to 6) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
1/3 cup packed fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pound ground turkey
Marinara sauce
Whole wheat spaghetti

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Dice the mozzarella into 1/2-inch cubes. Set aside.

 In a food processor, pulse the shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, shredded mozzarella, parmesan, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper until blended. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the turkey and, using hands, stir until combined. Form into 1 1/4-to-1 1/2-inch meatballs. Insert 1 cube mozzarella into the center of each meatball and form the meat around it, enclosing the cheese.
In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, spray the bottom with Pam and pop in your meatballs. Heat over medium-high heat until a crispy brown coating forms.
Once browned, add the pasta sauce and let simmer for about 20 minutes.

Dang, Willow Smith is 11, has half her head shaved, has a (fake) tongue ring and wears just as many gold chains as Mr. T...I think someone needs to go live with their auntie and uncle in Bel Air.

Good Eats

I really hate to admit how ridiculously easy this recipe was, considering Mark proclaimed it to be "the best meal" I've ever made. (I think he's forgotten about the Coca Cola Chicken Wings) Actually, I don't think you would even call it a "recipe." It really tasted like something you would order in a restaurant. I served the chicken with a salad and a glass of chilled, sweet red wine.

Oh, and I used free range chicken. I really think this contributed to the tastiness. If I were a chicken, I'd perfer to run free before my doomsday. 

Peace, love and free range chick-chick.

Caprese Cordon Bleu 

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
2 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded or diced
2 tablespoons sundried tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, divided
1/3 cup bread crumbs
A few pats of butter or margarine

 Here’s How:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Butterfly each chicken breast. Season on all sides with salt and pepper.
3. Divide the mozzarella cheese, sundried tomatoes and basil among both chicken breasts, leaving some basil leaves aside for garnish. Fold over the chicken breast and use toothpicks to hold the stuffing in.
4. Once chicken is stuffed, roll in a coating on breadcrumbs.

5. Heat the butter in a large pan over medium high heat. Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden. Finish cooking the chicken in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
6. To serve, garnish with fresh basil.

 

Wup Update

It's been a week and two days since Boags had his heart worm injection and he's doing GREAT. They inject a really big needle near his hindquarters (that's a weird word) so naturally he was really sore for about two days. When he came home from the vet, he didn't want to eat or drink, which worried me. He didn't even get excited about his ball, which worried me more. However, come day 2 he was back to eating, drinking and sleeping with his balls. Even though he's not allowed to play fetch, we still let him play with his balls. He keeps bringing them to us, dropping them at our feet and looking at us like...what the heck, have you forgotten this game?! Little guy is doing well and totally taking advantage of the extra cuddles and treats.

Yes, my dog is in my bed. Don't judge me.

bloody wednesday

A pool of blood pillow. Genius.

Mr. Noodle

::laughing at my desk hysterically:: (I find the stupidest things humorous.)

A pool story

As promised...I'm going to share a really great story from my life guarding days.

First, a little history.

I starting out working at..."The Club"...we'll just call it "The Club" when I was 15 or 16. I was the snack bar girl. I'd give wet kids candy bars, nuke hotdogs and mop the floor. Fun. I became friends with some of the lifeguards...they told me how uncool it was being a snack bar girl...so I tried out to be a lifeguard. And by "try out" I mean, I actually had to prove that I could swim. I can doggy paddle like a champ. I can swim to the bottom of the 12ft deep end (would I be able to drag a body out...questionable). During "try outs" we ("we" meaning the other lifeguard hopefuls and my bestie) had to swim...like a person, not a dog, a few laps back and forth without stopping. HA. Each time the lady would turn around I remember looking at my friend, dying laughing and running through the water until she would turn back around.

I passed the lifeguard test.

Most of the days were spent on the lifeguard chair, bathing suit straps pulled down around my shoulders...catchin' rays. There is a water slide at The Club. I HATED being at the post near that slide. Luckily, if the kid reached the bottom of the slide and suddenly realized they couldn't swim, the current of the slide would push them to the side of the pool where I'd be waiting to reach in a pull 'um out. No need to jump in unnecessarily!

Life was good...until the dreaded annual 5th Grade Pool Party. A local school would rent out the pool after 5th grade graduation and THE ENTIRE 5TH GRADE CLASS WOULD COME SWIMMING. A really bad idea. Just imagine the chaos. Each year, before they would arrive, we'd have a guard meeting to talk about what to do with the handfuls of kids that don't know how to swim.My friend and I made a deal, if she saw me jump in to make a save, she'd come over to me to help and vice versa. Well, she was on her post guarding the deep end and I was at a post right next to her in the 4ft area. All of a sudden, I hear her whistle blow....I look over...she looks down at the kid bobbing up and down...she looks over at me in terror...she jumps in...t shirt, shorts, whistle, sunglasses and float...and I'm frozen. Do I run over to her like we'd planned...like we'd been trained to do. Hell no. I sit there...in my chair...eyes popping out of my head as she struggles to pull this huge 5th grader out of the pool alone. Needless to say, she was rightfully pissed off at me.

If I'm boring you, you can stop reading now.
But while I'm on this topic...

We had to wear full piece bathing suits. After 3 years of wearing them, my friend asks the manager if we can have speedo bikinis the next year. His response..."we'll see after you girls get back from college...you might have to try them on and I'll be the judge of that..."  Ew.

The same guy also told me that I would amount to nothing in life because I didn't know how to turn a power washer on. Ok, POOL MANAGER!

Water park rant

I absolutely, completely, 100% LOATH Wet n' Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park. Aside from the fact that I think it's disgusting, which I'll get to later, the name is stupid and too long.

For those of you who are not familiar with this water park, it's located here in Greensboro and offers a handfull of water attractions for $34.99. Fancy a slice of pizza after a long day in the sun? That'll be another $8.00.

I remember being dropped off at the entrance with a group of my middle school posse back in the day. We'd (I say "we" but I was scared shitless) make a bee line to the wave pool...which was terrifying. It's a long pool that gets deeper the further you swim out...similar to the ocean. You'd float around until...boom...a freakin gigantic wave would roll over you, sending you crashing into all of the other hundreds of kids in arms length. You try to doggy paddle swim franticlly to the side wall where the little stoop is, only to be pushed off and into the undercurrent by the high schoolers. On average, a life guard would jump in at least once every ten minutes to pull some poor kid out. See, TERRIFYING!

Once you have your share of being bowled over by waves and beaten by elbows, it's time to hit up the water slides. All of the slides are made of those plastic pieces that fit together. You know what I mean? The kind that, when you're soaring down, your back hits each crack in the plastic like a speed bump. Not to mention, you spend all your time trying to make sure your bathing suit's still covering your lady parts when you hit the bottom. Again, not fun.

Aside from the rides being subpar...the place is flat out nasty. Think, "People of Walmart" in bikinis. Hot, stagnant, puddles of water everywhere. ((Athletes foot!!)) Yuccckkkkkkkk. Nuff said.

I googled a few "people at wet n' wild" pictures for you. I'm not posting them, they make me sick.

I'd rather sit at home, save my $34.99, and have Mark pee on my legs...because that's exactly what I'd be swimming in all day.

This whole talk of large bodies of water takes me back to the days of life guarding. Did I mention I'm not a very strong swimmer? Or maybe how I panicked during a downing at a 5th grade pool party? Humm...good stories for another blog post.

Meetin the hubbs for lunch at Mcouls.

Hasta luego.