Thank God for Girlfriends!

I don't know what I would do in life without my girlfriends! Seriously. They have stuck with me through thick and thin, and can touch my heart in a way that nobody does.

Always willing to let you vent (even if it's 2 a.m.) and they are always the first ones to celebrate with you.



Today was just one of those days where I had a lot of random stuff on my mind and heart and just needed to talk it out... or even some unexpected cheer.

Right when I thought I was going to spontaneously combust from stress/anxiety, I got a random text from a dear friend simply wishing me a lovely day. Complete and utter sunshine in a moment of chaos!

Next thing I know, I was lucky enough to talk out the craziness that is my mind with one of my favorite people over lunch - instant stress relief. And finally I caught my best friend on g-chat (world's best invention ever) for some afternoon advice and cheer (I love you.)!

A huge hug and thank you to my 3 sunshines today: Courtney (blog: Honeycomb Creative Co.), Karen (blog: The Kimchee Chronicles ), and last but not least... Lo [my partner in crime] - I love you all very, very much!



{ Where would we be without our girlfriends? }

Sweet Weekend Wishes

Time to get out of this city and mini vacation it up for a bit! I couldn't be more excited to be headed to Wichita with BF for the weekend to celebrate our dear friend's birthday...

{ Happy Birthday, Matt! }



roadtrip + time w/ family + great conversation + madam & mourt
memory making + b-day party + zoo visit + settlers of catan
sunday brunching + yummy food + lots of smiles

Weekend Bliss.

{ ...can't wait! }


Wishing you a yummy weekend!

Retro Onesie - Keeper?

Sooooo... I bought this super cute retro one-piece swimsuit from Victoria Secret Swim and I just got it in the mail today! After work, I rushed home to shred the packaging and try this sucker on.

Once it was on I had to look at my purchase from every single angle imaginable to see if I loved it on me as much as I adored it in the catalog.

{ It's adorable! }

I usually opt for a 2-piece, but once I saw this suit I just had to order it!




I think this suit has the best of both worlds...
{ I think... }

It covers nicely in every area, no bulges or ill-fitting issues. I know that I could go boating or walk confidently around the pool all summer long, which is the biggest plus!

I think it's definitely not an old lady one-piece [yikes - if you know what I mean...] and has the perfect mix of sass and sophistication.

Anyway, headed home this weekend, so I'll definitely be trying it on to get the mom/sister honest opinion. Gotta make sure this suit is enough sauciness for summer!


What do you think? Is this little number a keeper?

Things I Love Thursday

I don't know if I've ever told you this, but I absolutely love Thursdays. Of course Fridays are my favorite [duh - hello weekend!], but Thursdays are definitely up there!

{ Why, you ask? }

Date night!

Mmmm mmm date night...


Yes, BF and I have deemed every Thursday as our night together and it couldn't be more wonderful. Every week I look forward to it, no matter if it's going out to eat or relaxing in sweatpants on the couch.

I can't tell you how much it means to me to spend quality time together just catching up on life after 4 days of utter chaos. This is our time to go back to being each other's friend, and as cheesy as it sounds, it's wonderful. Our time to laugh, talk, reconnect, be real and appreciate being together. Love it!


Anyways...

{ I'm sure I've exceeded my sappy limit for the month - Oops! }


Tonight we are headed out to the movies! BF is taking me to this fabulous theater where we can sit in huge comfortable chairs, be waited on with just a touch of a button, and eat dinner while watching a movie [freaking awesome!]. This week we're headed to see Robin Hood [movie review coming soon!] and I couldn't be more excited!




{ Have you seen it? What did you think? }




I hope there is the perfect amount of action, adventure and lovey dovey to make it another amazing date night movie.


What do you love about today? Do you enjoy date night too?

Bicycle Love

I read a cute post this morning on one of my favorite daily reads {Cup of Jo}. She posted one amazing video! Yep, if you click HERE you can watch a clip of bicycle rush hour in Amsterdam.

Sounds lame? No way! it's madness! There are bicycles EVERYWHERE!

Haha, can you imagine rush hour bike style? I wonder if I would still have terrible road rage issues?

Naturally, I sent the video to my sweet BF via FB and wrote:

"Watch this. It will make you feel like a lazy American.
...we need to buy bicycles... STAT!"

Since then I keep daydreaming about buying a cute vintage, pastel bicycle with a little basket on the front for Beast to ride in.

Perhaps I would have a little radio that would play me "Sweet Darlin" by She & Him while I ride. Maybe Zooey Deschanel would even ride with me on her cute bike and sing it to me live...



{ Mmmm... Love it. }

In Case You Forgot...

Just a simple truth on a day like today.
YOU are absolutely lovely.
Everything that makes you the fabulous person you are is worth sharing.
Go shine!
Be you today and show love to the world.
Spread the word...


{ You are Beautiful. }



"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive
who is Youer than You.”
~ Dr. Seuss

Hello Inner Carrie!

When I moved back to the Midwest from lovely San Francisco, I felt like I left a huge piece of my heart in that wonderful city. Every day I loved walking blocks and blocks to catch the BART subway to discover a whole new adventure. Every day was different and absolutely wonderful.

I loved the way I felt when my blonde locks were blowing freely in the breeze and the sunshine lit up my face. I felt alive. I felt free. I was in touch with my inner Carrie, and I loved it!




The 2 years following, I finished my undergrad and accepted my first big girl job as a special event planner. Every single day I missed that 15 minute trek to the subway, walking past the beautiful SF architecture and my urban lifestyle.

Well, don't you worry, I recently got my Carrie swagger back! This past fall I accepted my dream job and moved to Kansas City, where I couldn't love life more!

My office is located in the heart of an adorable downtown district where I get to walk blocks and blocks to find delicious sushi for lunch or an afternoon coffee. I love the feeling I get when I walk past the little brownstone row houses wearing my super cute gladiator heels & flowy dress...

...Hello SF! I've missed you!



{ I've got my Carrie back, and I'm feeling good! }

Bonjour Friday!

Today is amazing. Yes, I can already feel it... Hello Friday! I don't know what the deal is. This week hasn't been the best, but it's like I took a whole bottle of happy pills and... I love it!




After thinking about it for awhile, my week started turning around yesterday afternoon. A good long chat with my friend Karen made me smile, and then a wonderful relaxing dinner with my sweet BF - he makes my heart so happy - {I adore you both!}. I am so spoiled and overjoyed to have such lovely people in my life!

So... on to weekend plans!

______________________


Top 5 things I'm absolutely ECSTATIC about:


~ Letters to Juliet - TONIGHT! [Yes, I already bought my tickets.]

~ City Market Saturdays with my cousins + Karen

~ GETTING MY HAIR DONE [finally!]

~ Cleaning up my apartment so I can r-e-l-a-x...

~ Watching (500) Days of Summer
[Best movie of all time. Ever. Can't get enough.]

______________________


Today's happy theme song:
{ "Sweet Disposition" by: The Temper Trap }



What makes you happy today?!



Wishing you a beautiful weekend! I hope it's full of wonderful people and lots of laughter to share...

Starbucks Half-Price Happy Hour!

Just an FYI for all of you fellow Starbucks addicts our there...

Starbucks will be having a special deal until May 16th...
Half-price frappuccino happy hour from 3 - 5 p.m.!!!





Go get yourself some coffee, people!


coffee = smiling
smiling = happy people
happy people = happy day

.: So share the love! :.



Enjoy!

Get Me Out of Here

Today is not my day. This week is not my week. When did I become so pessimistic? I've let the stress of life get to me [enter emotional break down], and I'm ready to get over myself.

Really, in the grand scheme of life, my week is okay and my day has to get better [right?].


[ I need a vacation. ]

I just want to go to an island in the middle of nowhere by myself and just be. Turn off my BlackBerry, not necessarily do anything, and just relax/recover/forget. It would be nice to just escape reality for a little bit.


Today... I want to be here.



How are you today? In need of an escape?


Ready for the weekend...

Me = Biggest Loser

So I found out yesterday that there is a Biggest Loser competition starting up in our office. At first I was completely turned off to the idea once I heard the competition joining fee was $50/person [for a thrifty girl like myself, I could do wonders with $50!], but then I heard how many people were doing it and the winner will be taking home $600+!!

{ Ummm... what?! }

Needless to say I am signing up tomorrow.

A super friendly, trustworthy co-worker of mine will be keeping track of each person's weight. All participants have to weigh in every Tuesday morning one-on-one with her. At the end of the competition, the person with the highest percentage of weight loss wins the loot!

My motivation: I have a teeny weeny blue bridesmaid dress to wiggle into in t-minus 18 days [...and this sucker is tight]! I figured the worst thing that could happen is I lose the competition and kiss $50 goodbye. BUT the very best thing(s) that could happen is/are WAY better:


1) I could [finally] get down to my healthier goal weight

2) Feel freaking fantastic in my dress

3) Gain back my self-confidence

4) Earn office bragging rights

5) Win $600!!!!

The office Biggest Loser competition is 4 weeks long and I plan on keeping you posted! Your encouragement and accountability mean a lot to me and I'm excited to get back to my healthier, full of confidence self!!

{ HELLO $600 + Cute little bod!! }


[Me after winning and stealing everybody's money - don't I look happy?!]


...What would you do with $600?


Wish me luck!

Guilty As Charged...

We all have them, so don't you try to deny it. Those little things that we secretly love to love, but feel slightly bad for enjoying them so much...



{ Guilty pleasures. }


I would like to say that I only have a few, but that would be called lying. Like... big time lying. I have handfuls of things that I enjoy, so I plead...

...guilty as charged.




{ My Guilty List }


1) People/US Magazine

-What's worse is I never buy them, I read for free at B&N!


2) Kardashians

-Beautiful and hilarious, I can't get enough of Keeping Up!


3) No Make-up

-Weekend. Wake up. Wash face. Dab on moisturizer. Lip balm. Go!


4) Messy FB Statuses

-This is sick. Why must I find people's FB drama interesting?


5) The Hills/The City

-How much more "Pam Anderson" can Heidi go?


6) Justin Bieber

-Go right ahead and make fun of me. His songs are addictive.


7) Sweatpants

-Ummm... yes please. Right now.


8) SATC on DVD

-I could watch for hours on end. Countdown until SATC 2... 16 days!


9) Dessert [instead of dinner]

-Give me a bowl of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia Fro Yo over din-din any day!


10) Blogging

-I absolutely love writing about things I love... thanks for reading!





What are your favorite guilty pleasures?

10 Summer Reads

I don't know what it is about the summer season, but I always crave new and exciting books! Summer is always the time I have to get lost in a good book and find new adventures. I love it.

I think it has something to do with wanting to be out enjoying the beautiful weather... reading by the pool... reading in my cozy patio chair... reading while stretched out on a picnic under a beautiful tree.


{Mmmm... summer reading.}

So, in anticipation for summer I have been making an on-going list of books that I would love to get lost in this season. As always, I warmly welcome any and all suggestions to add to my list! Here is my list, to name a few...


1) The Last Lecture
- Randy Pausch

2) The Happiness Project
- Gretchen Rubin

3) The Carrie Diaries
- Candace Bushnell

4) Lunch in Paris
- Elizabeth Band

5) The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To
- DC Pierson

6) The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
- Rebecca Skloot

7) Searching for Tina Turner
- Jacqueline Luckett

8) The Forty Rules of Love
- Elif Shafak

9) The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson
- Jerome Charyn

10) Girl in Translation
- Jean Kwok



My plan is to get to a book shop this weekend and hop to it!


So tell me... what's on your summer reading to do list?

Monday... Exhausted.

It is a gloomy, rainy day here in the city. Normally rain makes me excited and energized [thunderstorms are my absolute favorite], but today I just feel...

...exhausted.

This weekend was long and busy, and today i simply feel burnt out in every capacity. To make matters yuckier... I feel a cold coming on. Blah. At this point, I could easily fall asleep at any given moment. Anywhere.


What I wouldn't give for...

being at home.
sleeping all day.
aspirin.
warm blankets.
snuggling with pup.
a back rub.
when harry met sally.
my cozy bed.
yummy hot tea.
comfy pajamas.



Here's to hoping Tuesday is much better...