Pretty things on a pretty day

I want a stack of gold bangles. Lust.

This backless dress to to die for.

I always see such pretty broaches at local antique stores but never know what to do with them.

Orange and pink lamp in the back...you will be mine!

I just love this. Might try to sneak this into the decor...

Originally $225.00, on Sale at Bergdorf Goodman for $135.00.

I'm trying to calculate how many Ramen Noodle lunch/dinners I'll have to have for these...

My little sister scored a teaching job for next year!! Hurray for her!!! 
Maybe I should celebrate by buying myself the sandals...

My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding Train Wreck

TLC, you've done it again. You've managed to hit a new, all-time, level of trash. And of course, I'm eating it up. Have you SEEN these gypsies?? What a freak show! Its kinda like Jersey Shore meets Housewives meets the Amish. If you haven't had the pleasure of catching an episode, here's the premise:

Gypsy girls don't go to school. They stay at home, in the trailer, cleaning, cooking, looking after their siblings and training to be a trailerwife. They aren't allowed to talk to gypsy boys until they are ready to marry, at a ripe old age of 14. They aren't allowed to go to school because they cant be surrounded with "gorgers" (which are regular people) because apparently gorger girls aren't pure and do bad things like make-out in the halls at school and hold hands with boys. So, gypsy girls stick to their own kind, and dust...all damn day. Oh, and dress and dance like sluts. 

Now gypsy boys, on the other hand, they have it made in the shade. They, like the chicks, don't go to school. Instead, they start working manual jobs at a really early age and troll the local malls and shopping centers for gorger girls to sleep with. They can "practice" all they want with gorger girls, but hell no will they marry one. They cant settle down with no trash! Around 15, marrin' age, they pick a gypsy chick, talk to her a few times, then get hitched. 

 See?! (Side note: What the hell are those statues and aren't they a little big for a camper?)

Pat Baby, Priscilla's father, is throwing her a Halloween party where she can dress like a whore and find a husband. He also got a new tat to commemorate the occasion. Oh, and he also likes to get "drunked up." (Dad...I never had a Halloween party...?)

Priscilla and her "dance outfit" for the party. Daddy picked it out!

These gyp family is all decked out for their Thanksgiving family reunion.

This, my friends, is only the tip of the iceberg!
You can all thank me later.

say sumthin'!

Anniversary Recap - And why Grandover is Terrible

(I started this blog on Monday and never finished it...because I'm lazy. But I've finished it so I can write my next post about something hilarious. Stay tuned.)
 
I was an hour late to work this morning because Mark (accidentally) decided to take my keys to work with him this morning. Around 12:00, when everyone else wanted to use the office microwave, I blew it up. Excellent.

This weekend, on the other hand, was very excellent. We kicked off our weekend with Sheetz - 3 for $1 hotdogs and frozen yogurt. Keepin' it classy.

On Saturday we celebrated our Anniversary. I woke up to a delicious breakfast and my SURPRISE!! Finally!! We're going to California to a Jasmine Star photography workshop that's limited to 20 people. Shit! I'm nervous and excited and I need to go shopping! He even arranged for us to stay with one of my besties from college! After the workshop, we're going to make our way slowly up the coast and end in San Fransisco where my sister-in-law and her family lives. Once we meet up with them, we plan to explore San Fran and Napa! I could not be more excited for our week long adventure!

After he have me this gift, and I picked my jaw up off the table, we left for a day of rest and relaxation at Grandover. After a day at the spa and in the sun, we showered and left just in time for our reservations to stuff our faces at Flemings. Flemings was good. Not great, just really good. The steak was a little fatty, but so am I so I cant complain. The mac and cheese, lava cake and dirty martinis...supa dupa!! As we were leaving, they surprised us with a box of truffles and a gift card for $25 for next time. SCORE! I smell more mac and cheese in the near future!!

Grandover, on the other hand, we pretty bad. You don't have to read all of this, but I'm going to post a few emails that I exchanged with the general manager. Again, don't read this if its going to make you gouge you're eyes out. Just promise me you wont spend any of your hard earned money at Grandover.



Mr. Katawazi: (the GM)
My husband and I visited your resort this past weekend as it was our first anniversary. We decided to stay in town (we live very close by) and try the spa. From the moment I booked our appointment I was skeptical. The woman I spoke with on the phone was very unfriendly and cold. We arrived at the spa early and I ordered a glass of wine...again, the unfriendly attendants barely smiling as we checked in, almost annoyed that we were interrupting them . My wine never came, the spa attendant had to call for it twice. After the massage, which my husband enjoyed but later complained that his masseuse was, again, very unfriendly, we made our way to the pool for some R&R and lunch. R&R was NOT AT ALL what we received. We were greeted by loud, inappropriate, music blasting. Apparently, a group of gusts at the hotel brought down their stereo system and thought it was perfectly fine to blast their music clear across the pool. They plugged the stereo in near the pool door and sat on the opposite side of the pool. The music was LOUD. "I wanna, lick lick lick lick you.." blasting across the pool deck while kids were in the area, not appropriate or relaxing. I was very surprised that in the 3 hours we sat enduring the noise, no one came to turn it off. I would think either a manager or attendant would check on the pool area at least once in three hours? My husband and I ordered lunch, 2 salads and margaritas. We were told that it would take 15 minutes. After waiting over an hour our lunch finally arrived. We ate, had enough, and left.
I asked to speak with the manager on the way out. The woman at the font desk nearly had to beg the food and beverage manager to come speak with us. We could hear her on the phone to him "I know it's not your shift, but please.." Once he arrived, he heard me out, then told us that on a busy day, it could take up to 45 minutes for salads and that he would check the computers to see how busy they were. Busy or not, even 45 minutes for a pre made salad is outrageous. I also told him he might want to have the music turned off, he told us that this was not his area. Here's the kicker, he asked if we were staying at the resort and we explained that we were just using the spa and having lunch. Then he asked if we live in the area, we told him we did. He asked where. What does that have to do with anything?? We left scratching our heads over his questioning. Are your managers told to barrage dissatisfied customers with questions regarding where they live?
We are very disappointed that this is how we chose to spend our first anniversary. It was not at all what we were expecting.

-Allison Potter

Dear Ms Potter,

First of all thank you very much for choosing the Grandover Spa for celebrating your first anniversary , I must say reading your comments on the Trip advisor was read in a different light by me and as such I ignore it for a very good reason. However since you redirected your observations  by emailing me, I am convinced  that you had the good intention of sharing your experience in order to improve and speed up the service of food and beverages in the Spa therefore we consider you a friend of Grandover and I thank you for sending me this e-mail. I promise you that we shared your e-mail with all concern and the necessary steps have been taken to speed the service to this area despite the distance from kitchen. I also will like to have your home address sent to me so that I can send you an invitation for you and your husband to enjoy our wonderful Sunday brunch. I hope to hear from you soon.

Thank you

Syed H Katawazi

General Manager

 

 Mr. Katawazi, 

My husband and I frequently use and post to Urban Spoon as well as Trip Advisor as we feel these outlets allow for firsthand, candid, reviews. As a lifestyle blogger and local business co-owner, I can appreciate honest evaluations and think most would concur. It would be very ignorant to ignore any type of legitimate feedback.

I appreciate your reply, unfortunately, you have failed to address the majority of concerns in my email to you.

The lack of hospitality we experienced was despicable. You failed to address this in your reply.

The inappropriate behavior at the pool was also unaddressed.

The questioning from your manager regarding where we live was also left unaddressed. Please explain why this was necessary.

The only concern you did address was the timeliness of the food, "despite the distance from the kitchen." This certainly does not explain why my beverage had to be ordered multiple times since it never arrived. Also, if your kitchen is in a different vicinity, having your wait staff tell customers it will only be a 15 minute wait is very misleading.

Please do not insult me by brushing over my complaints and offering brunch.

-Allison Potter

 

You like the part where I included, "lifestyle blogger," don't you?! ;) 

 

SAY SUMTHIN' KATAWAZI! BOOM! 

Obnoxious Amout of Nails

ITS FRIDAY!! Thank you sweet baby Jesus!

I've been lovin' some nail polish lately. I've really gotten into some pretty funky colors and designs. I need to pause to clarify. I'm not talking ghetto fab, kinda funky. You know, when you walk into the nail salon and they have all those airbrushed fake nails...those are quite laughable.

Now you can pick your nose with the First Lady! Awesome. Not.

Also, please keep in mind that I'm extremely cheap and not about to drop $15 for a manicure as often as I want the color changed...and I want it changed often. Just this past week my nails have been three different colors. I know, overboard. 


In case you were wondering, which I'm sure you were, these are this seasons hottest colors:

(I really like the blue, but ladies be warned...last time I sported this I was told by my male co-workers that I looked like a cold smurf. Whateves.)

Glitter polish is truly my new best friend. I had to get over the fact that I once wore it in middle school...and it's a bitch to get off..but applied right, it looks awesome.

I would like to draw your attention to the bottle on the left. That sucker is $14. Nuff said.

Nude, always a winner.

I have mixed feelings about this group.

 Now, on to the fun stuff!

This is what I'm wearing now.

I LOVE the gradient glitter look. I'll be doing this for Saturday date/Anniversary night!

Pretty adorbs, huh? I've been using a lot of the Ulta Salon Formula nail polish. They almost always have it on sale; I think it's buy 2 get 1 free right now. It goes on well and I don't end up with those annoying bubbles. Rimmel is also a good inexpensive brand. 


Hilarious anecdote: the first time I did my nails with a little glitter, Mark called me NeNe Leaks. 

say sumthin'!

Random Ramblings

Happy Thursday! Only.one.more.day.to.go!

This week's been exceptionally long, I'll tell ya why. As I've mentioned, our anniversary is this weekend. Well, Mark has something up his sleeve for me/us and it's DRIVING ME CRAZY because I want to know. He made be swear that I wouldn't look at our bank account, log into Facebook or use our iPad until he reveals the surprise on Saturday. (If anyone sees any clues on FB, please let me know, I'm dyin' here!) No FACEBOOK FOR 3 DAYS! Insane. Actually, I think it's the not checking our bank account every 3 minutes that's killing me. I'm psycho when it comes to online banking. I check our account about 32435457 times a day, on average. And I'm the bank's worst nightmare. If I see a transaction, even if it's for under $5 and I don't remember what it is...I call. I know, I know. 
Anywho...I'm SO excited to find out my surprise (and get back to stalking my account and strangers on FB)!!

Moving on.

I.need.these.!! I forget EVERYTHING! I have the memory of a ninety year old and it's bad. How awesome are these stickys? Write a note, or maybe a grocery list then wear it...ok I know you're laughing but I think its smart. 

 Smart! 

 I'm trying to get my paws on some old cameras! We have a really cool vintage looking mirror in our half bath and I think a bunch of old cameras on some weathered  shelves would look cool! Help me find some!

This is probably one of my most favorite pictures of all time. It was taken right after I gave my MOH speech at my bestie's wedding. I'm so thankful for our friendship. (She let us pick our own bridesmaid dresses, I love this sparkly number I wore!)

...Say sumthin'!

Ladies Night

Last night was girls night---dinner and movie. We had dinner at Whole Foods, which is awesome because you can eat outside AND drink your beer. I know, it's the little things.

We went to see The Lucky One. 

(Side note: if you live in GSO, all movies on Tuesdays are only $4.25 at Brassfield, HOLLA! You don't even need to show your college ID card from 4 years ago for a student discount, not like I do that...)


I'm not a huge fan of going to the movies, mainly because they are SO expensive. No, I'm not spending $9.50 to sit in a cold theater and watch something I might not like. So, when I heard it was only $4.25...and involved Zac Efron...I was all in. 

All and all, it was a pretty good chick flick. Like most Nicholas Sparks movies, I pretty much had the whole story line pegged within 3 minutes. 

As we were walking out, we all reached the same consensus.

It needed a little less of this,

and a little more of this, please!

Seriously, not one single time did they show a full on frontal few Mr. High School Musical without his shirt on. What good is that?? Serious.Letdown. 


The funniest part is that 10 minutes before we walk into the movies, I get this text from Mark-

"You should be kissed, 

every day, 

every hour, 

every minute."

 

Yeah, be jealous. 

 

say sumthin'!

 

Grease fires and charging deer...

"Only Allie could start a kitchen fire and get charged by a deer in the span of two days." -Mark

True story.

On Sunday we had my parents over for a lovely brunch. I made skinny chocolate chip scones (which were awesome, I'll post the recipe), baked eggs in tomatoes, hash browns and bacon. We also had vanilla cappuccinos and skinny tequila sunrises (check my last post for the details). I need to pause and rave about the cocktails. Simply awesome. I made them for some friends on Friday night and they LOVED them. We normally have mimosas, but these were a perfect brunch addition. 

Chocolate chip scones. Not my picture, I don't own dorky heart glove thingys.

I made the scones earlier in the morning and we all quickly devoured them as I was finishing making the baked eggs and bacon. I though I'd be Paula Deen-y and pour some bacon fat into the hash browns as they cooked. Good/bad idea. After the grease fire was put out, the hash browns sure were tasty. Yes, grease fire. Full on fire, flames lapping all the way up to the microwave, smoke alarm blaring, dog freaking out, mom trying not to freak out....  

Again, not my picture, but very similar scene. 

And of course, I have no idea how to put a fire out. My first though was water, but that was quickly shot down. So I did what any woman would do, I grabbed my dog, ran outside and cried. Mark and my dad managed to put the fire out (and save the bacon, thank God) so all was good in the hood. Please take note: this will not stop me from making bacon in the future. 


My mom loved her Mother's Day gift, a bottle of Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey. Conventional, I know. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent camping out on the couch with ma and watching Housewives reruns. Pleasant afternoon. 

On Monday afternoon, I shat my pants.

No joke.

We have some woods in our backward and we sometimes see some deer passing though. After dinner on Monday, I noticed about 3 or 4 walking by and pointed them out to Mark. We both agreed that it's so sad to see because there isn't much wooded area and there are homes all around. We felt bad for the poor guys.

About 45 minutes later, Boags needed to go outside. I put him on his leash and we headed out. Not thinking twice about the deer.

We walked down near the woods for a while and I waited for little guy to do his business, which takes forever because he's so dang picky about where he poos.

And then, out of nowhere, a HUGE deer came charging out of the woods headed straight for us. And when I say charging, I mean full speed, bat outta hell, fast. The thing leapt clear out of whatever bush he was hiding in and straight into Boags's leash. He was literally caught up in the leash 2 feet away from me. The whole thing lasted like nanoseconds before he untangled himself and bolted. What did I do, oh just screamed bloody murder and ran like a maniac back to my house. For you visual people:

I know "shat" and "crapping" aren't very lady-like terms, however, I can't seem to come up with anything more appropriate for the circumstance. 

say sumthin'!

Skinny Cocktail, heck yes.

I have a confession to make.
I am an addict.
I am completely addicted to tropical fruit. Lame, I know. In the past 48 hours I've consumed 4 (life changing) mangoes, 3 bananas, 3 kiwis and 2 grapefruit. Mangoes especially, I cant get enough. It's not enough for me to just eat them, I was also in search for a tropical fruity (low calorie) drink for tonight. I think I found one...and took off running to the ABC Store on my lunch break. Class act, I know.

Hello, gorgeous!

This tropical puppy is only 145 calories!

The goods:
2 Tablespoons (1oz or 2 or 3) tequila
1 Tablespoon (.5oz) strawberry simple syrup
3 Tablespoons (1.5oz) orange juice (about 1/2 navel orange)
3 Tablespoons (1.5oz) pineapple juice
1/4 cup (2oz) club soda
ice

To make the simple syrup:
 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
3 large strawberries

Directions:
1. For the strawberry simple syrup: Combine sugar, water, and strawberries into a small saucepan over high heat. Mash strawberries as the mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 30 seconds, then turn off the heat and allow syrup to cool completely. Transfer syrup to a food processor or blender, process until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the strawberry seeds (optional.) Chill in the fridge.

2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add tequila, strawberry simple syrup, orange juice, and pineapple juice. Shake until very cold. Pour into a glass, including the ice, then top with club soda.

I found this on Pinterest. The rest of this girl's blog looks equally delicious. Iowagirleats.com.

I let you know how intoxicating good it is.  

BTW, umm...isn't this an awesome idea?!

Annnnddd, I just remembered we don't have this kind of shelf in our fridge. Never mind the awesome idea.

 

Camping and Bravo TV

It started on Tuesday around 10:00 am (my morning snack time) after I ate the best mango of my life thus far. It was so sweet and juicy and delicious. It reminded me of our honeymoon in Mexico even though neither of us ate any mango in Mexico.It made me think of summertime, basking in warm rays with a good book, white sandy beaches, men with trays delivering my drink of choice....I want to go on vacation. Bad. 

I want to go to the Caribbean but unfortunately that's out of the question.  I started my Google search of "cheap vacations in North Carolina." Nothing exciting. We've been to the beaches a million times, we go to the mountains at least once a year and Charleston has basically become our vacation go-to for a while now. Key West or Miami would be fun, but this needs to be more of a long weekend trip, and airfare isn't really cheap.

So, I came up with the brilliant idea of camping. Me, Mark, the dog...maybe by a lake or a beach, snuggling up to a fire and drinking some wine, or beer...I think you drink beer when you camp....

I mentioned this to Mark and this is how the conversation went:

Me: Hey babe, I have an idea, we should go camping!

Mark: ::Laugh, Laugh, Laugh:: Just you and I?? ::Laugh, Laugh, Laugh::

Me: Well, maybe the dog too?

Mark: (After more laughing) Camping? That's like asking me to go to Wendover Avenue and hang out with the homeless guys for the day!!

Sooooo, I guess camping is out.

On a completely different and unrelated note, does anyone watch Bethenny Ever After? If so, are you sick of seeing this in every freakin episode?

Chick probably needs to put her booze factory/shapewear line on hold and get a grip on her life. She cries more than any millionaire I know. And, while we're on the topic...she needs to add a little more BOOZE to her BOOZE! Her Skinnygirl Margarita is like drinking Crystal Light. Of course it's "Skinny," any drink would be skinny T-minus the alcohol. If you're reading Frankle, can the tears and give your people more tequila! Also, you'd think if you had that much money, you would take walking lessons. I'm I the only one who thinks she walks like a duck?  That was mean, I know. I'm sorry. But it's true...


One more thing!!! Did anyone else see Gretchen sing onstage with the Pussycat Dolls and feel so sorry for her?? Like, I wanted to close my eyes and pretend it wasn't happening. 

But, on the other hand, she looked so dang good in her little sparkly bustier! I'd take the crappy voice if it meant having that body any day! I also thought it was funny that Alexis said Jim wasn't really enjoying the show and that he just came for moral support. Yeah.flippin.right.


say sumthin'!

What's up with my pup

This post is all about our pup, Boags. About a year ago Mark and I were enjoying Sunday Night Music in the Park. We had just cleaned up our picnic and were heading to the car. As chance would have it, walking out of the park we ran into the cutest little pup. We stopped to pet him and the girl with him told us he was for adoption and gave us a card. We thought about him for a long time that night. When I came home from work the next day, there he was, sitting (he was so scared he was actually shaking) on the couch! Mark gave me the biggest and best surprise ever!


He was so skinny when we adopted him!

We decided to name him Boags. In Australia, Mark's favorite beer is James Boags, so, there you have it, we named our dog after a brewski. We're thinking about naming our first born Dirty Martini, since those are my favorite. 

The lady we got him from operates a Jack Russell rescue out of her house. When Mark got him, he knew he had heart worms. He is a perfectly healthy pup, t-minus the worms in his little heart. The lady told Mark that she's treated a thousand dogs with heart worms through a "slow kill" process using medications. We've tried this for a year and have taken him to 2 different vets. Banfield, the PetsMart vet, told us 2 different things each time. Yesterday Mark took him to Cobb for a heart worm test to see if the medications are working. Sadly, they haven't killed off all the worms.

We had known all along that this would be a slow process, the medications. We've also know about a quick cure that's painful and keeps the dog crated for months (and is rather pricey). When talking to the lady we adopted him from, she made this option sound really scary. Basically, what they do is insert a needle 1 1/2 inches into his back and pump him with medicine. The medicine is SUPER strong and works fast to kill the worms. Kinda like chemo for dogs. After he has the shot, he has to be crated with NO physical activity for a month. There are 3 rounds of shots and he would need to be crated for 2 of those months. The reason for crating him is so that his heart wont beat fast, causing the dead worms to break apart and move into his blood stream, which could kill him. Very scary.

So, we have to make a decision. Let him live for 3 more years with worms possibly destroying the lining of his heart, or, do the quick and painful way to get rid of them fast. Mark asked the vet what he would do, the vet told him that Boags is the perfect candidate for the shots. He's young and healthy and has a strong heartbeat. Mark really likes and trusts this vet.

We are leaning towards the shots. Its going to be so horrible taking him to the vet for those shots. It's going to be even more horrible making him stay in a crate for 2 straight months. Poor little dude. :(

Birthdays and more mac and cheese!

It's May 1st and our one year anniversary is only 20 days away. Plans are still in the works, however, we know that dinner at Fleming's, champagne and stale wedding cake are on the agenda! Aside from spending some QT with Mark (and Fleming's Chipotle Cheddar 953.6 Calories-Per-Serving Mac and Cheese) I'm extra excited about using our wedding flutes! 



We all know how I feel about this cheesy gift from God.



Our Anthro flutes that have only been used once.

My sister has been looking forward to this coming Friday for MONTHS now. Actually, I think she's been looking forward to it for about 2 years. Annie (my sister) has been in grad school studying for her Masters in Elementary Education. Before she decided to go back to school, and after graduating ECU with a degree in Communication, she was a glorified chiropractor and a steel mill worker. I'm not going to explain because leaving you to ponder these jobs is way funnier. Anyways, while working at the mill, she met her husband. They just recently married on a beach in Charleston AND are in the process of planning another wedding for 2013. (Again, I'm not explaining.) While in grad school, she lived with our parents in Greensboro. Now she's pretty much settled in with her hubby and pup (Hammer) in their new townhouse in Charleston. On Friday she will become a MASTER (she graduates) AND it's her BIRTHDAY!! I'm excited to do some celebratin' this weekend. My sweet grandparents are even coming all the way down from Ohio to join in on all the fun! 

Happy early birthday, Annie van Graan, future educator of the youth of our nation!

I've been waiting a long time to pull this out of the vault of shame.