25 years ago today

25 years ago I was told that I was going to be a Big Sister.  I was told this new title was an honor, and I wore my pride with a huge smile whenever I was asked about it.  I was told that my new brother or sister would love me and be my best friend. 

I remember the day that you were born.  I was only 3 1/2 years old but I knew you were coming and I was so excited to meet you.  When I went to the hospital, I got to sit on the bed next to Mom and hold you.  The smile on my face said it all. 

Do you know the picture I'm talking about...I'm holding you and Mom and Dad are around us?

You've grown into such an amazing man.  I look at you now and I still remember you as that baby, then as that little boy, then as that teenager.  That person that changed my life for the better 25 years ago today.

 

There is no one that can push my buttons quite like you can. 

We can still fight like we're children. 

There is no one who can love me quite like you can. 

We share our childhood.  Those memories are priceless. 

No matter where life leads us, I thank God everyday that you are my brother.

I love you, Casey.

Happy birthday!

God has a plan and Gram still has her spark

So last week my Grammy, who I absolutely adore (read here), was diagnosed with colon cancer. Although we all stayed outwardly positive and strong, the thought of battling more cancer seemed utterly unbearable. I've stayed quiet about this, not telling many people (although in a moment of weakness I confessed to my Twitter lovelies. PS - thank you for your constant love and support, friends.  *MUAH*). I kept mum because I wasn't sure how to process this information. I mean, with Sara Cate's diagnosis in September we had such a great outpouring of love, prayers and kindness. Not that I thought my Grammy didn't deserve it too, but I almost felt greedy asking for more emotional support from those around me. In addition, I was angry. Angry and sad. Bad combination. I could feel that veil of depression ready to pull me into a numb cocoon.

The emotional side of me was ready to explode while the rational side recited in my head, "We don't know enough information yet. Let the tests come back. Stay strong for those around you." Which is exactly what kept me going for the past week and a half.

Yesterday, Grammy had scans and tests done and met with a surgeon. Hubs and I met my Mom, Aunt and Gram for Chinese food once all the poking and prodding was complete. There was no mention of the dreaded C word, nothing out of the norm, although it was constantly on our minds. We wouldn't know the results of everything until this morning.

Driving home last night, I broke down a little. I pleaded to God. Please don't take her yet. I need her still. She needs to hold my babies.

I must have checked my phone 8 million times this morning before my mom text me with the news. Which, is GOOD news. Thanks be to God! The cancer has not spread. A tough surgery is ahead to remove the existing tumor, but after that? She has her life ahead of her. A long, healthy life. Did I mention my Great-Grandma lived to be 95?

And that is when the flood gates opened. All the anger, sadness, rage, tears came out in a snotty, wet, can't-catch-your-breath kind of mess. In the middle of my workplace. But after everything, I just didn't care. This was the rainbow after the storm. God has a plan.

God has a plan and Gram still has her spark. When the doctor tried to schedule her surgery for early next week, she responsed, "Nope, no way. I'm having Christmas Eve dinner for the family and will not miss it." (She'll need to be in the hospital for 4 or 5 days recovering after the surgery, which would cut into Christmas Eve and Christmas.) "This tumor has been here for so long (they think about 8 years) it can wait a few more days."

xoxo

Replay

What is currently stuck in my head (and has been for about a week straight)?

Yes, Bad Romance by Lady Gaga.

The problem is?  I'm not sure if I love or hate this song.  

It's definitely catchy....

What do you think?


xoxo

A Girl Can Dream A Little

So the life of a first year attorney and his wife is not always easy, financially speaking.  It's probably the biggest misconception when someone finds out Hubs is an attorney - that we're rolling in dough.  We have a lot of things to pay out on, just about as quickly as the money comes in.  (Note: I understand this is also called "being an adult" but these are newer payments that we are adjusting to, aka student loans.)  So I get my fix of all things beautiful, sparkly, designer, etc. from reading blogs. 

My point?

I'm thinking of doing a series with a fancy schmancy name like Wish List Wednesday or something equally annoying and yet catchy.  Something where I can devote a weekly post to things I'd love to have if I didn't have things to pay like a mortgage and said student loans.  Because, c'mon, a girl can drool dream a little, right?

So I introduce you to a few lovelies I've had my eye on:

A personalized myAgenda in Silver

(or as it is sold out, Carribean Sea)

Amy Butler for Welspun Towels

I love the paisley orange (3rd from left)

This little beauty from Etsy seller, GetNoticed

Sterling Crystal Clear Cocktail Ring

A nice mix of practical, functional and frivolous.  So tell me, friends.  What have you have your eye on lately?

xoxo

Payson, You Will Always Hold A Part Of Me

A week ago today, I rushed home from work to pack up our things and head out of town to Payson, Arizona to spend Thanksgiving with my parents, brother and girlfriend and my gram.  Oh, and did I mention two dogs and a cat?  It was going to be a full weekend in every sense of the word.


We pull into Payson at 8ish and headed for a little Mexican food restaurant which is both divey and wonderful at the same time.  $15 and full bellies later, we head to my parents home, unpack and relax.  Sounds divine, no?  Cue intense stomach pains at 3am.  I Google "food poisoning" in my spare time as I CANNOT SLEEP and immediately blame said divey Mexican restaurant.  The day goes by in a blur of pain.  


I wake on Friday morning hoping that the food poisoning (which I was assured was just a bad case of the stomach flu) had passed.  It had, for the most part, but an ache had settled in my right side.  I come up for breakfast hopeful that I'd be able to eat and salvage my weekend.  My dad (aka Emergency Room Doctor) pokes around and concludes a trip to the ER is in my near future.  By 2pm they had confirmed appendicitis and by 3pm I had my appendix removed.  


There are a few awesome parts of all of this:  1) my 3rd year medical student brother was able to stand in the OR with me and observe the surgery, 2) I was exonerated (I may have been called over-dramatic a time or two in my life *ahem*, but this time?  Hellz yes I really was in pain and not being a drama queen!) and 3) I was able to eat again.  In fact, by 8pm I was checked out and driven to (a different, not divey) Mexican food restaurant for Albondigas soup.  


The only crappy part was that my Thanksgiving weekend didn't really start until Saturday morning.  


So now I'm still recovering, although quite well.  It was a laparoscopic surgery so I only have 3 small incision points (one below my bikini line, one at my belly button and one below my ribs on my right).  And the good thing?  I never have to worry about my dang appendix again.  Oh, and the divey Mexican food restaurant was exonerated as well.  If you are ever driving through Payson, Arizona and have a taste for the most awesome burrito of your life, head to Alfonso's.  


Hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving! 


xoxo

Music is the soundtrack of our lives

If I could have one wish, something to change about myself, I wouldn't change much.  But I wish I had a good voice.  

So this has been a big week in music for me. 

First off, Sunday night we went to see The Phantom of The Opera.  It's playing in Tempe at Arizona State's campus.  I've seen a few musicals in my life, but of all that I've seen, Phantom is my absolute favorite.  The singing! The story! The dancing!

The show was amazing.  I sang every word under my breath, I laughed, I cried, I nudged my dear Hubs who willingly went along.

And then tonight...

I watch The 43rd Annual CMA Awards.  Now, for any of you all who don't know, I'm referring to the Country Music Association awards.  This Arizona girl was raised on country music.  There was a time when I thought it wasn't "cool" enough to admit to my friends, but now?  Heck yes!  Give me country music over Kanye any day (yes, that was a direct reference *ahem, Kanye*).  

There is nothing I love more than singing along to America's music.  I have been singing into my remote control microphone all night.  I've laughed, I've cheered, I've even gotten a little choked up (standing ovation for our armed forces?  on Veteran's Day?  Duh).  I love hearing the newcomers just the same as the good ole guys and gals.  

So for those of you who don't share my passion for country music, I'll cut to the chase.  If you could have anyone's voice from any time/genre/etc, who would you choose?

Me? I wish I had Jennifer Nettles' voice.  Hands down, that girl can rock!

xoxo

Us, through the years

xoxo

Four Years Ago Today...

We said "I do, I will, I promise, for eternity" in the eyes of our family, friends and God.

Looking back on it now, I realize we were so young then. At the tender age of 24, did we have any idea what was in store for us?

We've been through law school, the Bar exam, two layoffs, four new jobs, moved into our first house, bought our first cars together, traveled to Mexico, Europe, California, Chicago, Oregon, Washington, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.

 

 

We've been through the highest highs and lowest lows.  What matters is what we've never forgotten...

That we will always have each other to turn to for love and support. That we will be each other's best friend. That we will have each other to laugh with and cry with - that we will never be alone. That the bad times won't be quite so bad and the good times will be even better when we're together.

I'm so thankful for you, for this life we've built, for us.

It's been a great four years....and we have exciting things in store for us.

I can't wait to see where the next four {and more!} take us.

Happy Anniversary, Hubs.

I love you forever.

Kreativ Blogger Award

First off, I'm sending a huge thank you to Sara at This Beautiful Thing for giving me this amazing award! I am so very honored.

Here are the rules:

• Thank the person who gave this to you.
• Copy the logo and place it in your blog.
• Link the person who nominated you.
• Name 7 things about yourself that no one would really know.
• Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
• Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
• Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know you nominated them.

  Here are 7 things you may not know about me...

1. I wear glasses all day at work.  They help me focus on the computer screen that I stare at for hours upon hours.  The rest of the time, I don't really wear them.
2. I lurrrve salty foods.  Give me potato chips over chocolate any day.
3. I have little fingers.  Not freakishly little, they fit my body, but I wear a size 4 ring.  Most people can barely fit my wedding rings on their pinky finger.
4. My two best friends in the whole wide world are my oldest friends; I met them both in 2nd grade.
5. I had a horse named Dakota as a kid.  He was pretty much my life.  I can't wait until I have the time/money for horses again.
6. I must start my morning out with coffee.  No ifs, ands, or buts about it.  And I like it sweet and creamy - lots of milk and Splenda!
7. If I could do something totally different from my current career, I would be an esthetician. 

I'm tagging 7 of my newest followers. I can't wait to read your responses!

Tasha at The Hot Spot
Sara at That's Sassy
Bella at Bella Serenity
Ashley at Pink-ture Perfect
Ashley at {Let Go, Laughing}
Rachel at Beautiful Life
Elizabeth at Gangl*icious


And to everyone else, what is something I may not know about you?  Leave me a comment and let me know!


xoxo

My week by the numbers...

4: Hours of Gossip Girl watched (finally caught up on the season!)
3: Times I repeated the mash-ups on this week's episode of Glee (ummm, who didn't love this?!?)
2: Boxes of Kleenex used (just call me Rudolph)
1: Pack of Ramen Noodles that Hubs so lovingly prepared for me to stop my whining

In all honesty, there might be nothing better than seeing your sweet husband play nurse to make you feel better.  He made me food, sympathized, sent hugs my way, and didn't complain once about having to take care of me.  Thanks, J!

I'm getting back to the swing of things.  I am at work today, but longing for my pj's tonight.  Come on, 5 o'clock!

Do you have anything fun in store for the weekend?

xoxo

Sick as a DOG

Hi, friends.  Just checking in.  What have I been up to all week?  Sick in bed. 


I've used up a full box of Kleenex, drank two 2-liter bottles of Diet 7UP and watched countless hours of Tivo'd television.  


Good news is that I think I am turning the corner.  By tomorrow I should be back to normal.  I even made it up today to disinfect the kitchen and bathrooms and {gasp!} shower.  


Now, time to load up on more medication and take a mid-afternoon nap.


How have your weeks been going?  Do fill me in.  I've missed you all terribly!


xoxo

A Cancer reacting to Cancer

Today, October 1st, starts the rebirth of Miss E. You see, friends, I've been hunkered down, hiding in my shell. I'm the prototypical Cancerian crab, if you will. Crabs live in the inter-tidal zone of the oceans, where tides rise and fall twice every day. This is the most dynamic and changeful place on earth, but also the most nutrient rich. Because of the constant change, Cancer have developed a hard outer shell for protection. Cancer can use the hard outer shell of your home as your protection. But it's more than just that. Typically, your sensitive Cancer can hold your feelings quietly behind your own walls. Crabs also have large pinching claws, and Cancer can hold onto things, especially from the past. Cancer are fiercely loyal and have a difficult time letting go. But Cancer are also quick to bring those you love inside the safety of your outer shell while you nurture them. Cancer love is protective, but unless tempered, can be smothering. Cancer motto could be, "A good defense is the best offense." Like a Crab in its cave, your attack can consist of baiting your opponent into your territory. What appears to be a retreat to others can be your best aggressive tactic. As you feel your way through life, building your security by developing your home and family relationships, remember that unexpressed anger can turn into resentment and depression, so find someone you can trust and share your feelings. Since we're on the topic, let's break it down, shall we? Typically, your sensitive Cancer can hold your feelings quietly behind your own walls. I've felt overwhelmed lately. Since Sara Cate's diagnosis of Hodgkins Lymphoma, I've just been down. Down that a 25-year old otherwise healthy young woman could be affected as she has been. Down for how this diagnosis is rippling out to all of those I love. Down that I'm watching this unfold and feeling completely helpless. But Cancer are also quick to bring those you love inside the safety of your outer shell while you nurture them. I cannot shelter everyone that I love right now - it's just not possible. I wish I could shelter Sara from the cancer, my baby brother {note: ok, not really a baby at 24-years old, but to me he will always be my baby brother} from the stress of being a 3rd year medical student in rotations and barely having enough time to sleep in a day let alone care for her, my parents who have opened their home to help care for both Sara and my brother during this time. I can't even shelter myself from this and I've come to realize - as I've had to at times before in my life - that I have to just let go and trust in God that everything will play out as it is intended. ...find someone you can trust and share your feelings. I've reacted to this tough time as I usually do: I retreat into my shell and shun the outside world. I've been a bad friend - sorry to those who I have yet to call back and email, you know who you are - I don't mean to be silent, I'm just trying to get myself back on track, regain control of my life. I want to be the happy, strong, confident woman who I've buried inside me. I deserve that, my loved ones deserve that. So today marks a new day. I'm taking care of myself and tackling the things I can control in my life. The rest? I'll leave it to God. Because I can't control everything around me all the time. I can only be the best person I can be each day. So no more sulking, no more retreating, no more silence. I'm telling you all this not because I'm looking for sympathy or kind words. I'm saying this because you are my "someones" with whom I can trust and share my feelings. You are the ones who listen (read) me at my best, worst, silliest, wittiest, saddest. You are the ones who have sent me emails and comments asking where I've been, how I'm doing. You are the ones who are a safe place for me, who make me want to come out of my shell. For this, I'm grateful to you all. So, friends, I'm back. Out of my shell and enjoying the sunshine. It's nice out here. xoxo

The Journey

So I know I kept you all hanging with my last post.  It's been a tumultous past week or so.  My brother's girlfriend of 3+ years, the amazing Sara Cate, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  Last Sunday, she found the lump...by that Tuesday morning she was in surgery....and by Thursday she was seeing an Oncologist.  It's amazing how quickly your life can change.  She is a strong, sensitive, creative, deep young woman.  She is taking this all in stride with such grace and strength.  You can follow her journey here. 

And just to share an example of what an amazing girl she is...

I was out of town this past weekend in NYC visiting the one and only Lulu of The Dirty Martini Diaries (vacay recap to come!) and I get this text message from Sara Cate:

Hope you're having a fabulous time in NYC!! You have a little surprise waiting for you when you get back. Love you!

I come home to find these:

Are they not the best notecards EVER?  So perfect!  She's going through a complete whirlwind right now and yet still finds the time and energy to make something so thoughtful and absolutely perfect for someone else?  See, friends, I tell you: pure amazingness.  I'm so blessed to have her in my life, in my family.

Please continue to send your prayers and love.  It means the world to her, to all of us.

xoxo

A Beginning

Sitting around the game table on any ordinary Sunday evening, she stares at her cards in her right hand while she lays her left hand across her chest.  How should I play this hand? Her fingers brush against her collarbone and she notices something else there.  A lump.

So starts a story to which at present has no end.  Only the beginning of appointments, tests, tears, the unknown.  What will this journey bring?  Hope, faith, strength, love and a stronger bond than this already close-knit family could have.

Small World

One more thing I have to tell you about my dear Sage...

Not only is she my sorority little sis and college roomie and bff and bridesmaid from my wedding, but also her mom, Marilyn, was my elementary school librarian.  Funny, right?

As a child, Marilyn read me countless books, taught me the Dewey Decimal System, helped me with book reports, and was an adult I trusted. 

The awesome part of this all?  That I now call her a friend.  We drink wine, catch up on life, cry over YouTube videos, drink champagne at the movies, and swap books (always the librarian!).

I know I'm very blessed to have these amazing people in my life who I know care for me.  People who know my family and have watched me grow.  People who celebrated at my wedding.  People who know and love me.

So as I like to tell everyone who will listen {sorry that you have to hear it again, Sage}, never underestimate your relationship with a child: a child in your class, your child's friend, your friend's child.  Someday you might be sitting in a movie theater, sipping champagne and watching a movie with that child a former student your daughter's friend your friend.

{Please excuse, taken on my iPhone}

xoxo 

Where Has Miss E Been?

I know I left you all hanging with news of my secret adventure last weekend.  And now I've let 9 whole days pass without anything.  My sincerest apologies, friends.

So Hubs had a boys weekend in Vegas planned for the weekend of August 15-16th.  I know, I know...who agrees to let her husband go to Vegas with a bunch of guys for a weekend?  Ahem, The Hangover comes to mind.  But Hubs is as good as they come. 

Having free time for SSB, I decided I would load up on episodes of True Blood and Tori & Dean, Chelsea Handler's Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea {quite possibly THE funniest book I've ever read}, and a showing of The Time Traveler's Wife.  My bff and sorority little sis, Sage, graciously invited me to go to see TTW with her on Friday night.  {The movie was good.  I cried.  But the book was better.  Duh.}  What made the movie awesome?  Sage and her mom, Marilyn, showed up with mini champagne bottles and Junior Mints.  Heavenly.

Now a little about my dear Sage: she is a flight attendant for a big, well-known airline, and lives an awesome jetsetter lifestyle.  She has endless energy, can live out of a suitcase for weeks on end, always tells the truth and is one of the most caring and generous people I've ever met.  I love this girl.  So when she calls me with a crazy idea, I'm all in. 

This particular idea of hers consisted of jumping on a early Saturday morning flight to San Diego to surprise our other bff and sorority sister, Cassi, for her birthday celebration that day.  We would come back home on a 7pm flight that same day.  So a quick turnaround, but enough time for fun.  And fun, we had!

The surprise was a success as Cassi had no idea we'd be showing up.  We had enough time for an hour or so on the beach in the late morning and then back to Cassi's to get ready for the birthday bbq that afternoon.  Her friends are fun!  And know how to parrr-tay!  There were steaks, turkey burgers, salads, beer (oh tons of beer!), vodka lemonade flowing through an old Sparkletts machine, vodka watermelons, flip cup tourneys and beer pong.  This might not come as a surprise, but Sage and I did not make it out on the 7pm flight.

Sunday consisted of a 5am wake up and then to the airport to try to get home.  {PS - Flying standby on a Sunday is not a good combination.}  A few hours, one nice boy (go, Sage!) and two flights later, we were home.  Such fun!

***Happy birthday to Cassi and a big THANK YOU to Sage!  I love you girls and am so thankful to have you in my life.  Thank you for an awesome weekend that I'll never forget!***

Now I'm sure you're thinking, "But, wait, Miss E....this doesn't explain why you've taken 9 WHOLE DAYS to relay this story to us."  Welp, dear readers, let me just say that Miss E isn't as young as she used to be.  One spontaneous trip to San Diego for me and a weekend in Vegas for Hubs has left us in major recovery mode.  The jetsetting lifestyle takes its toll, lovelies.     

xoxo

So Excited!

I'm so excited that it is Friday. What makes this weekend even better? I'm off on a big secret adventure tomorrow. My sweet friend has something up her sleeve.  It's the perfect thing for this girl who would otherwise be indulging in more SSB and missing her husband.  


 At least now I can miss him while having some fun of my own! Full report coming up! 


 xoxo

SSB In Full Effect

Hubs is out of town.  He left tonight for Vegas with some guy friends of ours, one of which who is moving out of state and this is his going away party. 


I miss him already.


I'm focusing on the upside of this situation, which is indulging myself in my Secret Single Behavior {Thanks, LegallyblondeMel!}  


What I've done so far tonight:

• Watched True Blood from last Sunday.  OMG could I love Eric any more? I don't think so.
• Cleared out my entire Reader.  Cheers, applause, I know this is an amazing feat.
• Cleaned the kitchen and bathrooms.  Because I multi-task like that.
• Made awesome{!!} plans for the weekend.  Because Hubs isn't the only one with a rockin' social calendar.

Now I think I'll crawl into bed and get started on Chelsea Handler's Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea.  


Goodnight, lovelies!


xoxo

Miss E MIA

I've been MIA for the past week and a half and I apologize for that, dear friends.  The reason why is quite exciting though!


No, no babies for our household...c'mon folks, that's not the ONLY exciting thing that can happen...*ahem* to certain family members who will remain unnamed :) 


Ok, now where was I?


Oh yes, so my manager and my director were both out of town last week.  So who was left to fill in?  Well, me, of course!  


Takeaways from the experience:

• It was a challenging, fun, fast week.  Time flies when you're putting out fires having fun.
• I love my manager even more after experiencing firsthand what she handles in a given day.
• There is a reason management is paid more.  Enough said.
• I'm pretty good at what I do.

Needless to say, I came home late each night and with barely enough energy in me to eat dinner and flop into bed.  

Oh, and did I mention I started a half marathon training schedule last week as well?  Never-you-mind the fact that it lasted through the weekend and now I haven't been back out since.  I'm easing my way into this thing, people.  One toe at a time.

xoxo

"Real Quick"

So I get home tonight, kick off my heels, kiss Hubs hello and head to the kitchen to whip up some dinner.  We had planned on pasta.  I start pulling out the ingredients: pasta, garlic, parmesan...hmmm, what am I missing?  I stare into the pantry a little longer and realize that I don't have any sauce.  Now a lot of times I cook from scratch, and other times I doctor up a jar of Classico and, frankly, tonight was a Classico kind of night.  Except for the lack of Classico.


Hubs comes in the kitchen to help and sees me staring - willing - the sauce to magically appear.  Before I completely lose it, he grabs the keys and pulls me to the garage so we can run to the grocery store real quick.  Real quick = famous last words of a you-know-what.


My car won't start.  I mean dead, kaput, barely getting a flicker of lights across the dashboard.  My car that I just drove 30 minutes home from work in won't start.  We borrow jumper cables from our friends (thanks, Cralls!), make a frantic phone call to my best friend's dad (thanks, Coach Cob!), 2 calls to Auto Zone, more frantic calls to my parents who are vacationing in Canada (love you guys!) and in the end?  Car is still d-e-a-d.


So what do I do?  I blog about it.  Guess I should get to sleep since we have our work cut out for us in the morning if we're going to make it to work on time.


Hope you all had more relaxing evenings than me!


xoxo  

Don't You Think I Need This

*****

Thank you for all of your sweet comments and emails regarding my wedding dresses.  Although it's a personal thing to open up to the masses, you all have been so kind and I can't thank you all enough.  I will continue with Our Story, just as soon as I can put together another post! 

*****

This is an email I sent Hubs yesterday, no joke.  Thought we might need to open this up for public opinion.


From: Miss E
To: Hubs


Subject: Don't you think I need this? 


I found this on Etsy...


A) it's amazing
B) it's vintage
C) it's the EXACTLY right size for my itty bitty fingers
D) free shipping

I'm just saying...

So what do you think, dear friends?  Do I need it?  {Do I? Do I?}


xoxo

A Very UnBride Bride

I want to continue with the Story of Us (I haven't forgotten) but I'm going to take a small jump ahead.  Kelly at Kelly's Korner started a Show Us Your Life series and this past week showcased wedding dresses.  In honor of the theme, I thought I'd share some pics from our special day.

Now, I did things a little differently.  No white dress, no veil....instead, I wore two dresses.  Go with me here, friends.  I had my reasons.

I did not want an overly traditional wedding.  I did not want the big white ornate dress and veil.  It just didn't feel right for me.  It was just too much bride for me.  And I just didn't want to be that much of the center of attention.  I already broke out in hives just thinking of everyone's eyes on me for. an. entire. day.

I based my whole vision off of a necklace and earring set that my Grammy wore at her wedding in 1947.  From there, I decided to stick with a vintage theme.  The first dress I chose was simple, easy to walk in, and showed off the jewelry perfectly.

The second dress was a sleek, elegant, 1940's-era design.  It captured my grand vintage party theme just perfectly.

 

 

More to come!  And I promise to fill in the gaps between our first meeting and wedding.  All in good time, dear readers!

xoxo

New Music On My Ipod

Have you all heard of Marie Digby?  If not, you must check her out.  She has the most fun, catchy lyrics and her music is guaranteed to put you in a light-hearted, good mood.

Some of her hits include "Say It Again," "Miss Invisible" and a cover of Rihanna's "Umbrella."  

Her mother is Japanese and her father is Irish American.  Isn't she just cute as a button?!

Link

Happy listening!

xoxo

BlogHer Lust

You know how in a sorority (sub-in whatever situation draws the same-type feelings), you start out as a pledge.... 

you are so excited just to be a part of the group and make new friends.... 

you look up to the older (read: infinitely more cool than you can ever aspire to be) girls... 

you want to do everything they do because they are just so dang pretty, witty, fun, exciting...?

I thought that as an adult those situations would be few and far between.  I mean, c'mon, I'm a full-fledged adult now. 

But I might as well be that 19-year old freshman Pi Phi pledge again because I wish so much that I were at the big BlogHer Conference this weekend.  Just to bask in the presence of all those amazing, strong, funny, beautiful, successful women. 

Am I the only one who feels this way??

xoxo

Working Girl

I'm finally at the point in my job where I've been with my company for about a year.  I am no longer the "newbie."  I have established myself as a strong leader, hard worker and dedicated team member. I am helping in the hiring process of our new associates, both internal and external, and working on several projects to help further my team.  


The amazing part is that I never believed I'd get to this point again.  I was disheartened when my former company - a large banking institution - went under last summer.  I had worked so hard, made so many connections and proved myself as a young woman with a bright future.  To have all of that swept away in a short amount of time was a lot to handle.  Top that with many of my co-workers being worse off than me (I emotionally shared their pain and troubles), some moving states and one even attempting to take his life and you can imagine I was a complete mess.  Oh, and Hubs was preparing for his final semester of law school and the ramp up to the bar.  


What can I take away from all of this?  Of course, the old adage rings true: What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  No doubt that is true.  But I also learned - and am continuing to fully grasp - my own strength.  The strength of a {sheltered} girl from Scottsdale, the strength of a strong and compassionate woman, the strength of a young wife and future mother.  I am thankful for these trials and for the lessons I've learned.  Not only because I worked to help my family through a very transitional period in our new, young life, but also because I excelled at it, I loved it, I thrived at it.  


xoxo