Weekend Recap.

Hey friends,

How were your weekends?

Mine was busy as usual but not what I expected. Through a series of unfortunate events my family didn't end up coming to Tally this weekend so I stayed here, in Tampa. That was a bummer but I'm seeing them in May in DC, so not too much longer to wait.

Instead I got a few things done around the here...

After going to three seperate HomeGoods stores I finally found a table and chairs for my balcony. Ta da:


(this is clearly taken in my garage, please excuse the not awesomeness of that)

I went a little crazy at Bath & Body works stocking up on hand soap and wall flowers (the only things I use from there - but I am committed!). They had a killer sale and thanks for Kari for telling me on twitter- I went and got my stash for the next 6 months to a year. Whew.

I also hit up Nordstrom Rack for triple point week (since I've been working so hard I thought I'd treat myself). My favorite purchase was this green top (though it looks very teal in the pic):

On Saturday night I went to the Lightning game with my sweet friend Jessica and her fiance Mike. Unfortunately I was not good luck this time around the the lightning had a rough game but we had a great time and afterwards we met up with my neighbor, Edmund, at the Brick House for a bit...

Sunday I got to enjoy a game night (well, day) with my friends and I won at both spades and poker. Everything's more fun when you win, right?

I'm furiously savings for my home projects & trying to work on getting my house cleaned up to host the Tampa Blogger Gals for dinner on Friday night. So exciting! Big week ahead - some good, some bad. But I hope to be around the blog some, as well.

Happy Monday.

Love,

B

Weekend Recap.

Welcome welcome! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. Mine was busy as usual but there were a few highlights worth sharing. I took the weekend off the blog and just spent it living real life without talking about it (shocking, I know).

On Friday my shoes for Haiti arrived and I spent some of the weekend breaking them in. We needed 'hiking' boots for our trip and I orded these from The North Face, they're water proof, light weight, and built like sneakers which I love. They're super comfortable and I'm thankful to my Aunt who supplied them. The countdown is on...we are fast approaching Haiti departure.

My poor little bulb I felt sorry for at Target after Christmas has now grown to this:

Someday it may actually grow flowers, as it's supposed too. For now I'm just glad it's alive.

Managed to get the house clean this weekend which I feel stoked about since other than that I didn't feel prepped for this morning to happen. Whew. House is clean just gotta finish cleaning out this head of mine.

I reached 2 new financial goals this weekend which was huge for me so early in the year. Feeling very hopeful about my decisisions I've made and where I'm headed in this department. Headed towards financial peace in all areas.

The highlight of my weekend was brunch with the blog girls at Grillsmith. I love them. I didn't get nearly enough pictures but I did borrow this one from Jen's facebook of us:

Jen and I did a little post brunch shopping as well. I managed not to spend too much money but we had a great time and each found a few special things. Love love shopping with her.

Headed to work shortly and to fro yo with my bestie, Auburn between work and bible study tonight. I am LOVING studying Romans with my sweet small group. I feel so challenged and encouraged every week.

Happy Monday to All...ready for not, this week is here!

Love,

B

Yard Sales, Lunch Dates, and Chic Lit - Oh my!

I would like to wish my Momma a very Happy Birthday today to begin this entry. She is one incredible woman and for your sake, I hope you each get to meet her someday. What a fabulous Mom she is. I hope she feels special and loved on this big day.

By the time you read this it will be the weekend! Congrats on successfully completing another work week, with excellence, I hope!

I'm staying busy this weekend, per my usual. Friday - lunch with my sweet friend Toni at Seasons 52. Love her, and love their delicious food. Greatly looking forward to starting my weekend off right.

After work I will be headed with leftover pizza in hand to finish up the yard sale prep with my sweet friend Jess who graciously signed on to host this yard sale for me. We will be using the proceeds to pay off the remainder of my Haiti trip (which is in April). We are planning on eating pizza and salads, prepping, and then watching a Lifetime movie. The one where Rob Lowe plays Drew Peterson. Anyone seen this? I've actually watched it once and he's super creepy and convincing. Yikes.

Bright and early tomorrow morning I will be back at Jess's to sell, sell, sell! I'm so grateful to everyone who has donated their trash/treasure to benefit my trip as well as all the ladies and gents who have offered to help my hauling it up to Jess's and/or helping with the day of festivities! In Tampa and hoping to come by? Text me for the address!

After a book about the downfall of Haiti, one about the holocaust, and a prison memoir I decided it was time for a little chic lit - so I'm currently devouring (and I mean that, as I've almost finished it 2 days later) this little number:

This book is darling and each chapter has a cupcake recipe...yum! If you haven't read it and you're looking for an easy poolside read (ok, showing my Floridian nature here) - pick this up.

Here's to wishing each of you a great weekend - and if you're social networkers you can watch for funny yardsale pics tonight and tomorrow.

Love,

B

Here's to the Weekend!

I usually enjoy my weeks as well as my weekends but every once in a while (and especially after a holiday weekend) I feel like I'm working for the weekend. This week has very much felt that way. I'm still awaiting the arrival of my baby niece who is clearly already on her own schedule, since she was due last Saturday and is still cookin'. My family is spread out in 4 states (that's just my immediate family...) and I'm getting anxious for us to all my in Indiana celebrating Christmas with my sweet Daddy who couldn't make Thanksgiving this year.


I'm spending the weekend with this lovely lady as my roommate:

We're already enjoying chilly daily walks (well, chilly for Tampa) and I am suspicious she's enjoying making me scoop poop!

I'm thrilled to be celebrating the Costa Rican elopement of a sweet friend on Saturday night in downtown Tampa. I still haven't decided what to wear and I desperately need to find time to get myself a pedicure. But besides that, I'm excited to celebrate their wedded bliss with eating and perhaps some dancing with my Tampa fam tomorrow night.

I'm nervous but excited to give a little talk at the FPU graduation on Sunday night and then grab a little face time with my sweet friend Kayla who I have not seen nearly enough of lately.

I'm hoping to finish the second Hunger Game book, read some of the next James Patterson in my series, finish addressing my Christmas cards, and finally return a few phone calls that are long overdue. I'm also looking forward to baking up some goodies for one of my sweet friends I'll see Sunday night - thankfully he loves my baking (because I can't bake if I might end up eating it all... ). Whew. Here's to the weekend!

What are your weekend plans?

Love,
B

Goodbye January.

Well I'm four days from departure for the Super Bowl. I've officially picked out 2 of the clothing items I'm going to wear. Sadly, they don't even go together. I allowed myself one new outfit...well, part of an outfit (aren't budgets the worst?) for the 'after party' which SHOULD be arriving via UPS tomorrow during the day. I may have to beg my boss to let me do drive bys of the condo every hour tomorrow until it comes. Is that wrong?

To say this weekend didn't go according to plan is a bit of an understatement. We planned to make it to the party early so we could be in bed early BUT Sarah didn't even get to Tampa til almost 9. So, after dinner and the party we finally flung ourself into bed at 12:30 (my idea of early is 10 by the way) for 6 hours of sleep before we had to be up for Gasparilla 2010! It was worth the sleeplessness however, since Gasparilla was WAY more fun this year than last. Last year we walked 10 miles, got sunburns and blisters, AND by the time we were done walking most of the parade was over.

This year we parked on the lawn of my friends house, hung out at their party until 30 minutes after the party started, walked 1 block to the parade and saw as much of the rainy debacle as we desired before walking back to grill out. It was a delish and entirely less tiring and stressful Gasparilla experience. Totally worth the lack of sleep which was made up for when we crawled into bed, well onto the air mattress that is pretending to be my couch for now, to 'watch a movie' and passed out by 8pm. I'm not as young as I used to be!

Oh yeah, you're wondering about the bull-riding huh? Sadly, by the time our business manager responded all the freebie tickets had been taken and our office didn't get any. Tear. So no bulls this year. But honestly, as fun as it would have been - my body is thankful that I let it recover last night from the 5 hour night before. Lame, I know...but so true.

Today was relaxing. I had to be at church early to work the table for Financial Peace which starts near the end of February. We got a great response after the service today and it looks like we'll be busting at the seams with new budgeters this 'term'. After a little recruiting I hit Brio for brunch with Aubs & Sarah before, sadly, Sarah had to return to Jville this afternoon.

I promised myself I would be productive today which apparently translated into vegging watching Criminal Minds, Millionaire Match Maker, and *drum roll* a lifetime movie! BUT in my defense I did fold 3 loads of laundry, change my sheets, balance my checkbook, work on my budget for Feb, workout, read, and pack two cardigans along the way. So today was not a total waste.

Without finishing my last book, I started 'Accidental It Girl' today during my workout. Don't judge me, I was craving some chick-lit in my life. At least it kept me on the bike for 8 miles of uphill riding!

Oh yeah, and did I mention I'm leaving for the Super Bowl in four days!?

Love,
B

The Mr. & Mrs.

    Me with the Bride & Groom.

            My partners in crime.

A great time was had by all at the Everson/Kuhmichael wedding this weekend in Ft. Wayne.  Not only did they pick amazing venue choices but the couples special day was a real tear-jerker.  The fun was made better by the 2 lovely ladies I teamed up with for the trip.  After resting up and stuffing our faceswith my early bday cake (my mom makes THE most life-changing cake ever) - we hit the road Saturday morning in a vehicle made for 10 to travel up to the Ft.

Despite the rude help, we had a blast staying at the Hilton.  The wedding was beautiful but not half as beautiful as the bride (my freshman year of college roomie).  Mer & I (with the help of some wedding partying participants and the bride herself) did the youtube wedding dance to Chris Brown's Forever during the reception.  We can't help it, we're the life of the party. 

This includes jumping on the bed (sorry Hilton) and singing 'I'm in Miami Trick' - Kourt and Khloe style.

Happy Weekend!

I'm setting this to post at 5:00pm so that it will officially be the weekend! This video makes me smile everytime I see it. So, happy weekend to all and enjoy.

Love,
B

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AHzIq_n-DQ