quite contrary

fun fun...catchin up!

2011-10-28T06:30:00.000-04:00

somehow I have been a BUSY bee! don't know what I have been doing but blogging is not one of them! how about some catch up in pictures?a long long time ago my besties and I went to the Clemson/Auburn game and watched a victorious win! it was SUCH a great game!

yay Tigers! one thing I have been up to is watching Clemson WIN every weekend...let's keep it up again GT this weekend!

we celebrated some bdays too...

I have been super busy with work (hopefully my raise will pay off at year end), I have started DATING (which is super scary and crazy and sometimes pretty horrifying and boring, haha), I have been traveling to see my bestie who is preggers in ATL and to some weddings out of town (pics to come!), my ankles are doing a lot better (did I mention I sprained both of them?) and II have been in physical therapy for 2 months now....and other than that I don't know where the time has gone!
I am loving this fall weather and really just loving life and having FUN! xo

friends are friends forever

2011-09-20T09:50:00.000-04:00

about a month ago my college besties got together for a little lake relaxation catchup wknd...it was so much fun! we sat around and ate and drank and chit chatted and laughed. we swam and basked in the sun and let the dogs play. we always catch up and leave off like we have never been apart. I am so lucky to have such great friends from college...I am thankful for them every day...

my friend J is 20 weeks pregnant with TWINS here...so happy for her

most precious picture

my bestie M does it again with her cupcakes!

celebrating bdays!

love these girls...so many memories and so many great years ahead!

xoxo

bestie time is the bestest time

2011-09-14T09:30:00.000-04:00

okay so obviously I find it hard to blog these days! I am so busy at work and haven't found the right 'blogging' time at home either in the mornings or in the evenings :( so this is something I want to work on b/c I love blogging...so don't know why I have let it escape my life! so here is an effort to catch up!
a couple weeks ago (like a month) my bestie visited me in CHS...we had the BEST wknd. Friday we got caught in a storm heading to the beach so we decided to eat lunch and spend the day chit-chating on the couch...we had SO much to catch up on and it was the best time :) We then went to eat Mexican and had the most delicious guac and skinny margs! Saturday we walked the Cooper River Bridge (and got the worst sports bra tan lines...woops) then hit up the beach for some sun. Saturday evening we went on a carriage ride that was AMAZING...we went by Rainbow Row and around The Battery...it was so much fun being a tourist in my own town! we took tons of pics of course. We then ate yummy wood fired grilled pizza at Manza and hit up Cupcake for dessert. I was sad for her to leave on Sunday b/c I miss her so much. Here are all the pics from the wknd...and our tour of Charleston...enjoy!

it was the most.perfect.weekend.
what I now get to tell you about this wknd is that it was me and my besties (Pink Sass) first wknd together since she told me she is PREGNANT!!! I cannot tell you how happy I am for her and Preston and I am SO excited to be an AUNT! She is the closest thing I have to a sister and this is my chance to be an aunt to her sweet baby! I am so thrilled!
and I had to spoil her with goodies before I start spoiling the baby...
I am now planning on going to ATL every month to see her baby bump grow :) I can't miss this!
love you bestie. you are going to be the best mom in the world.

rest in peace

2011-08-22T15:15:00.004-04:00

my sweet grandfather passed away....he is in heaven now and no longer suffering which is a relief to me. I loved him very much and he will be missed greatly. I am so grateful for getting to spend time with him before he passed...this pic is from my last visit with him.

rest in peace.

when life throws you lemons...

2011-08-05T08:41:00.000-04:00

I have had a rough couple of weeks...

I sprained my ankle really bad working out...it devastated me b/c exercise was taken away from me...I know this sounds crazy to some, but I really love it...I was on crutches for a week and still can't do any impact activities. I have had to learn to be patient...which is VERY hard for me. My ankle is slowly but surely getting stronger...it really does suck to not be able to wear heels though!

seriously it was huge

Richie and I both agreed to let 'us' go...we were both working really hard to make 'us' work, not realizing that we want different things...he doesn't even know what he wants really...and I do. We finally accepted that is it 'okay' that we couldn't work things out and just b/c we love each other and want it to work, doesn't mean its going to...and it IS okay. So I have lost my companion and best friend...but in the long run we will both be able to find the person we are supposed to spend the rest of our lives with. It is going to be hard for a while though, I won't lie.

My grandfather was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was granted only weeks to live...I drove to VA last weekend to spend time with him and say goodbye. This is so hard for me I cannot express in words. He is such a WONDERFUL grandfather who I loved and admired dearly...he will be missed so much. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to see him before he passes.

I lost my entire wallet. gone. My dumb-a put it on top of my car when getting gas and just DROVE OFF. yep, its gone. I don't know if the worst part is that the wallet was a bridesmaids gift from my bestie pink sass, or that when I went to get another license I didn't think they would have to take my picture again and so I didn't dry my hair or get ready and they SO DID, OR the fact that I lost all my giftcards ;( ugh!

sooooo you make lemonade right? I am sooooo very lucky to have such wonderful friends and family to get me through this hard time. Even though all of these unfortunate things have happened to me I still somehow have a positive attitude and outlook on my life. I can only thank my friends and family for this blessing. I also get a great deal of happiness from my baby Peanut...he is there with the most unconditional love I could ever ask for...always waiting for me to come through that door...and the best snuggler ever :)

so as most of you post pics with your significant others, I take millions of pics of the light of my life...these were on our trip to VA last wknd in his new car sear! isn't it great?

precious :)

look at his big ole belly

sleepy time

and this is how he watches people out the window at home...I think its so funny how his legs are straddling the couch arm :) haha...and the little fat roll on his tail :)

and to make things even better I got a bike...love it!

hope you all have a great weekend! thanks for all the support! and remember 'when life throws you lemons, make lemonade' ....its not the end of the world and I am sure you can find something positive out of every negative...that's what I do! love ya'll :)

july fun...

2011-07-25T10:19:00.002-04:00

here are some random pics from July...can't believe its almost August! I have had one of the best summers :)

Peanut LOVES the beach...but unfortunately he hasn't been able to go lately b/c of the record breaking HEAT

he likes to sit on my lap...I sacrifice the stomach from getting a tan

car ride/trip to ATL....so freakin cute :)

watching Fireworks for 4th of July

me and A

A and Z...love them

us girls on Dewees Island for the 4th. so much fun!

I wanted to also share with you some refreshing new summer obsessions I have...

link here

this stuff is amazing...its like more 'icy' than 'creamy' so its perfect for the summer...and like 35 calories! hello!

I also found these drinks...do you remember Clearly Canadian? it tastes like that but no calories! ding!

link here

oh and ps...they are 10 for $10 at Publix this week...hurry!!!

I got this email from Hungry Girl this morning...I have GOT to find these!!!

link here

yummo.

I have a girls din tonight and I get to introduce my college friend 'E' to my CHS friends b/c she just moved here.....yay!!!
I am super duper excited for my bestie Pink Sass to come in town this weekend. it has been WAY too long when we have had a 'bestie' weekend together. I am sure we are going to get into a lot of FUN but one thing I do know we are doing is a Carriage Tour through downtown Charleston...eeeeeeee!!!! (that is me squeeking with excitement)

hope you all have a wonderful week! loves!

oh baby...

2011-07-20T11:00:00.000-04:00

I hosted a baby shower for a dear friend...her baby girl is due in August and she is naming her Harbor Anne...the theme was for 4th of July Couples Cookout but instead of red, white, and blue...we did Fuschia, White and Blue...turned out really cute!

my camera wasn't taking pics very good in this light...but here is the banner I made with her baby name

I made little cupcake flags

we framed an invitation (I designed them!)

view from beach house porch...such a pretty evening to have a party!

all the grub

it was such a relaxing fun party

the hostess's with the Mommy! doesn't she look so cute!

so excited to meet baby Harbor

opening presents...look at their dog Brady on the present! haha

so much fun...but oh so much work! I forget how exhausting hosting parties is! I love making invites for them though :)

blissful work trips

2011-07-19T18:54:00.001-04:00

I am lucky enough to work for a wonderful company that takes us on amazing retreats...this one happened to be our Women's Group retreat to this place we own called Cabin Bluff...this place was amazing! We had wine tasting, amazing steak dinners, kayaking excursions, great Women Speakers and Workshops, fun pool time, etc....such a great time...
about to go Kayaking

view from pool deck

such a gorgeous place

my 'cabin'

the dock

wine tasting

aaahhhh

we are working really hard...can you tell?

wine tasting is so much fun!

it was such a fun few days....it means so much to know our company is investing in us and our happiness and success. I look forward to many more opportunities for networking and professional skill building...especially if my company offers it!

more updating to come!

catch up and fun family time

2011-07-13T10:06:00.000-04:00

where in the world have I been? hi friends!!! I guess I have let the summer take my blogging away from me...I appologize! let's catch up :)
I am having a super duper summer enjoying the beach and time with friends (not so much the humidity)...I am getting promoted to a new job at work which I am thrilled about, but has me much busier than I have ever been...I have been working out with a personal trainer at work (I know we are spoiled) and I feel like it has taken my fitness and body to a whole 'nother level which I am so happy about as well :)...Peanut is doing great, he is learning how to swim this summer (I know I have babied him)...Richie and I are doing great and having so much fun together, we have been Paddleboarding a LOT this summer and I can't get enough of it, I also just bought my first bike...so lots of fun exciting things going on!

lets start catching up in pictures shall we? so like a month ago I went home to ATL for Fathers Day and my gma's birthday...It was so nice to be at home again with my family and just relax :)the 3 layer cheesecake for my gma's birthday...yummO

happy birthday MawMaw!

3 generations pic

my mom and her 2 brothers with their mom

family pic

and I got to spend lots of time with my parent's god children...who I like to claim as my own. I miss seeing them grow up

so much fun...but tiring! ha

we celebrated Fathers Day by going to breakfast at Cracker Barrell...which was DELISH. then the kids wanted to give my dad presents...they gave him their money they had earned...so cute and precious

I am sure my parents would love to have real grandchildren of their own...but they will have to do without for a while...ya!

it was such a nice trip and I miss my family so much being so far away. I am glad I have my own life here though and will hopefully start my own family here one day :)

so much more to catch you guys up on! I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer and staying cool! xoxo

a birthday to remember...

2011-06-15T13:44:00.000-04:00

my most wonderful friends made sure my birthday weekend was oh so special...it was so nice and relaxing and just perfect. I am so blessed...first of all I woke up to this...my bestie Pink Sass decorated my condo :) love her.

and she made me a bday cup...duh!

so cute. I love it.

my bestie Mir made her delicious cupcakes! can you believe she made these?

all the yummy grub for my bday party

my carrot cake! happy bday to me!

makin tons of wishes ;)

bestie Pink Sass

me and sweet baby peanut

Mir and JBo

L and A...love these girls

such a great night! we just drank wine and ate yummy food and cake and laughed!

then a beach day!

just perfect

my baby boo

and some afternoon drinks to continue the celebration

cheers! love these girls who made me feel so special

and we finished the evening by chugging water :) haha

thank you besties for the best bday wknd ever! love ya'll

xoxo

a small donation...

2011-06-10T11:39:00.000-04:00

I donated my hair on my bday...it's 'my thing'...
I like giving someone else a present on the day when I get presents :)
I donated 9" on my hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths...and I'm lovin my new do!

I encourage all of you bloggie friends to do the same and join the selfless movement!
here is the whole process documented by my besties....

it literally took him like 15 minute to cut through that thick pony
so excited!
so happy!
I think I lost 5 pounds with all that hair
ta daaaa!!!!

don't you love it?here is it curled...its so spunky!

I definitely feel like a NEW woman!

bday post coming up next! hope everyone has a great wknd...and PLEASE donate your hair if you can...its such an easy/selfish contribution and it WILL grow back :)
xoxo

my fave

2011-06-02T15:03:00.000-04:00

Mem Day is my favorite holiday...BY FAR! every year I have the BESTEST time :) my best friend from HS and her bf came for the wknd and we had a BLAST!

here is a run down in pics...

at the beach

actin silly

grubbin on mexi

all dressed up to go out

actin silly again

at the club

HS bestie :)

highlight of the night was the blue cadillac limo cab we got to ride home in! amazing!

drinks after another beach day

walking around the Old Village

dinner and drinks on Shem Creek

what a great wknd! come back!

so tomorrow is my bday :) and my besties are coming into town to help me celebrate...and I am donating all my hair! so tons of pics to come next week and I will be older...boooo!
xoxo

Kim K is engaged!!!!

2011-05-25T11:12:00.004-04:00

I'm going straight to buy this mag! I have to see that 20.5 carat ROCK!
don't know why but I love the K girls :)

this and that...

2011-05-23T09:45:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I went to Augusta to see one of my besties...we had a great time seeing the town, eating/drinking, hanging out...girlie things...it was so great and I miss her already!
here are pics of us out...

love
so I LOVE this MIO liquid enhancer...it makes water taste AMAZING in seconds...and liquor drinks too I might add ;) teheI went and saw Bridesmaids last night at Cinnebar....this movie is AMAZING...so funny that my stomach hurts I laughed so hard! please please please go see it!

so I have been jonesing to donate my hair again...I think b/c I can't imagine having to deal with it all summer long in this humidity...AND the main actress in the movie had the cutest short hair!!! so now I REALLY REALLY want to cut all my hair off...my main inspiration photo for short hair is Jen's new do, that I have shown you before...

BUT I also want to be able to wear it wavy/curly like Kristen Wiig does in the movie...LOVE it from the side!so what do you think? do you think it would look good on me? I am so nervous but know I will just go for it.
I did Locks for Love last time and want to do Pantene Beautiful Lengths this time...I just think its a much better cause and the cancer patients don't have to pay for the wigs! so I am thinking doing this is July?? but I might have to do it earlier....we will see!!!

on another note I am SUPER excited for the Bachelorette to start tonight!!! yay!
love Ashley!

then the rest of the week I am going to be getting ready for my bestie from highschool to come for Mem Day wknd! I am SO freakin excited! should be good times!

hope everyone has a great week! xo

a beautiful garden wedding...

2011-05-19T16:15:00.001-04:00

Memphis was SO much fun...besides the cold weather on the wedding day...bestie and I on Beale Street

Wet Willies

Rehearsal Dinner...the happy couple

the glowing bride

my hot date for the wknd :)

my fave couple

groom on the keys

wedding day...FREEZING!

gorgeous garden wedding at the Bride's home...breathtaking

here comes the bride

congratulations!

first dance

gorgeous bride

yummiest cake ever

so happy!

SO much fun!

and we are old and tired

and they are off!
thanks for letting us celebrate your special day. I had the most amazing weekend in Memphis!

on a side note I am sure you all want to know what's going on with Richie and I. we randomly went to this wedding together (funny how things work out and I truly believe everything happens for a reason) and ended up having the BEST time and most amazing weekend together. we realized how strong our feelings still are for each other and with that being said, we both hope we can work things out and get back together one day. we also know there is a chance we will not work out but I feel like we deserve to give it a chance b/c it could be SO great. so I am very happy about what is happening and we will see what the future holds for us! thanks for caring :) xo

i love bdays!

2011-05-17T16:26:00.003-04:00

why do I love b-days so much? I just think they are so great and so much fun and why not celebrate YOU for one day out of the year??? I love it. I really love to make my friends feel special on their 1 day a year too! last week we celebrated A's bday...such a great time!

love these girls

I have a b-day coming up in a few weeks! OMG...my last in the 20's....holy CRAP! tear
xoxo

catchin up!

2011-05-11T11:35:00.000-04:00

where have I been? I feel like I have been all over the place physically and mentally! and have had no time to blog at work :( I'm sorry!
thought I would catch ya'll up with pics from over the past month...
I went to ATL for my friend's wedding shower and we didn't take a SINGLE PIC...I think this was b/c it was so cold outside...sad...I have been REALLY bad about taking pics lately, which is also sad...promise to get better about it! I have taken some on my phone though...working from 'home' in ATL with my two love pups helping me

I then jetted off to Tenn for work...we had a BLAST...

it wasn't so much work as play...Chattanooga was really cool...they have lots of brick 'things' all over the city that you can sit on or sit in :) haha

work friend

on the fun bridge

in the fun brick chair..

oh and we found a Minor League Baseball Game...so much fun!

the Lookouts!

I missed my parents being at their beach house all week but did get to hang out with them 2 nights before they left...and I got to indulge in the good eats...my dad made his famous Paella which was amazing!!! isn't it pretty?

low.country.boil = nuff said

ventured off for some after beach drinks with Jbo...yes we are still in our bikinis at the bar at night, thank goodness we had sweatshirts in the car!

I found my Easter Basket my mom hid in my condo! yum ...this lasted like a week tops

and Peanut and I spent Easter Sunday after church under a tree by the lake in the ION...so peaceful and pretty...and I took WAY too many pics of my love bunny...

i love when he sits like this :)

what a perfect day

and we had a little Cinco De Mayo get together...I was so sick and miserable :(

so that's about it. just work work work all day long...and little bit of play :) I am still getting over my sickness of 2011 (it is a good one)...heading to Memphis this wknd for my friends wedding...praying for no floods and pretty weather!

catching you up on Richie and I...we spent an entire month with no communication and it was very good for both of us...I had expectations of it lasting a lot longer only to find out last week that my plane ticket (to Memphis) it attached to his as a 'buddy pass' and I cannot fly without him. After laughing and then freaking out trying to find every other possible way to fix the situation, he kindly offered to go with me so I don't have to miss my friends wedding, and I happily made the decision to take him as my date. I feel like everything happens for a reason and this wknd will be good for us. We will go back to our independent lives after the wknd and be able to reflect back on however we feel after spending a wknd together...it should be interesting!
I PROMISE to take tons of pics...I am very excited! (and I get to see my bestie Pink Sass again...ding)

xoxo

i love you mom!

2011-05-08T10:12:00.002-04:00

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!

pnut got his hair did...

2011-04-14T13:57:00.002-04:00

couldn't help but post these cute pics of him....

I may or may not be obsessed with my dog...there I admitted it :)

cha.cha.changes

2011-04-14T09:08:00.000-04:00

so with my new single life I have been living I have also been making some changes...change is good...change keeps me excited and happy :)

I officially joined a NEW gym...this new gym has AMAZING classes that are already challenging and changing my body. I was tired of the same old thing at previous gym and this new gym always has something different (including spin, BARRE classes and a YOGA studio at no extra charge!) and I am very excited about it :) I also have two workout buddies at this new gym and did I mention VERY good looking boyz go to this gym as well? ha
I also have been going to a therapist...yep I am not ashamed to admit this b/c I think Therapists are a GREAT thing...my goal in this single 'period' of my life is to find ultimate happiness and peace with myself as a confident, strong, independent woman...I am VERY excited about this time in my life :)
I am also starting HOME projects to finish decorating/update my condo...more on this to come!
I am taking on new responsibilities at work which initially is very scary for me but in the end I know will only help my career and make me a stronger business woman. I will be working more and traveling more and this only leads to not as much time at home to clean and prepare meals and do my most important responsibility which is love and care for my sweet baby peanut...SO I have made a cleaning schedule to organize my time and I have been eating frozen meals (I know I know) instead of cooking so I still have time to walk Peanut twice a day. So I have been eating the Lean Cuisine SPA meals...have you tried them? They are made with lean meats and whole grains and include full servings of fruits and veggies...and they are actually DELICIOUS!on another note...have I mentioned my love for these?I have already finished one bag and its not even Easter yet. My parents rented a beach house on IOP next week and I am pretty sure I will have an Easter basket waiting for me with some of these yummies in it....YAY!!!
I am off to ATL this wknd for my dear friends wedding party...I got these adorable romper (much cuter in person than in this pic) to wear but its supposed to be rather chilly this wknd so I am upset I might not be able to wear it :( I hope to pair it with a black blazer so I won't freeze to death...fingers crossed.I am off to TN next week for work...then spend some time with my parents at their beach house...so I will be back soon! I also am thinking of having a ROYAL WEDDING party on Friday the 29th...am I crazy? Seems like a great idea ;) haha

another one bites the dust...

2011-04-11T15:03:00.000-04:00

a couple weekends ago all our college friends got back together for a wedding weekend...our dear friend Michael got married and we weren't going to miss it! Friday night us girls got together for some dinner and drinks and caught up...

our bestie from Boston flew in for the weekend...loves

we had so much fun just being silly together...I love these pics...their necklaces and shirts kept getting stuck together...it was so funny to us..

hehe

all the gals

the wedding was gorgeous but the reception was outside and it was FREEZING...the bride was gorgeous though...

all dolled up :)

with the Groom

my pretty besties

our friend who ALWAYS catches the garder...caught it again! he probably has about 20 by now!

all together again

dancing...it was freezing...we could not warm up!

Clemson peeps

the cold did not stop us from helping the band out with our amazing singing voices...not

and they are off! CONGRATS!

such a fun wknd...I was so sad after...I would pay anything to go back to college!

hope everyone has a great week! xoxo

what I'm loving...

2011-03-29T10:13:00.000-04:00

a few things I am LOVING right now

favorite snack of the moment...Granola Thins...

have you tried these??? AMAZING! peanut butter and dark chocolate are so divine...can't stop eating these ;)

Favorite Exercise for the moment...BARRE METHOD! I love the blend of ballet, pilates, and yoga to form strong lean muscles

love my Barre 3 DVD

and the Physique57 DVD's are amazing as well...did the 57 min full body workout on Friday and could not bend my legs on Saturday :) I love to feel sore!
do it! try it! you will love it!

oooh your leg will be a burnin and the sweat will be a pourin!

Favorite Meal Food at the moment...SHRIMP!...can't get enough for some reason...
I made threw this pasta together Sunday night and it turned out really yummy!
maybe I can remember what I put in it and post a recipe

favorite LOOK of the moment...really just hair style! SHORT BLUNT CUTI am feeling VERY tempted to donate my hair again this summer....mainly b/c of Jenn :) Don't you love it?

I am looking forward to a fun filled weekend with all my college besties! One of our guy friends from college is getting married and we are all getting back together for it! COLLEGE REUNION!!! love it...like sooooo excited!

hope everyone has a great week! loves!

out and about

2011-03-24T10:24:00.000-04:00

I have been extraordinarily social lately :) and have actually remembered to take some pics!
I went out for St. Pattys Day and ran into my bestie mini...love her festive hat...only she could wear that

the girls

a bagpiper actually came through the bar...pretty cool

so much fun...love my new friendies

we all went out Saturday to celebrate the first day of laying out weather! we all love having sun on our face :)

so on another note I start my first golf lesson tonight with a group of work girls...should be VERY interesting...we are going out for din and drinks after...duh!

my mom has been here for a week and I just love having her around...even if I don't see her much on week days I love watching tv with her at night, working on projects, and having dinner ready when I get home from the gym...I have definitely been spoiled :) She leaves tomorrow and I will miss her

I look forward to another fun weekend however it doesn't look like it will be warm enough to lay out again...booo. Hope everyone has a great weekend! xoxo

her last hooooraaaah!!!

2011-03-23T10:37:00.000-04:00

so obviously I have some catchin up to do!
here are the pics from my sweet friends Bach Partay a couple weeks ago...we had SO much fun!last night out!

duh...

obviously was over-served

loves

with the lady of the night...please ignore the abnormal arm in the pic

after recovering all day Saturday from our wild night out Friday we had a lingerie shower for her...she got some great gifts!

the ATL ladies...miss these girls! what a great wknd!

happy hump day!!! xoxo

my baby's bday!

2011-03-17T14:50:00.000-04:00

Peanut turned 3 on Tuesday...I took him to the beach after work for a walk to celebrate! I can't believe he is already 3 years old! He is such a big booooyeee....

yeah!

so pretty...I am so lucky to live at the beach

my little angel :)

hi mom!

aaaaah

I.might.be.obsessed.with.this.dog.

bach partay wknd!

2011-03-09T10:13:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited to go to ATL this wknd for my dear friends (on right) Bach Partay! I can't wait! and best of ALL I get to spend the whole wknd with my bestie Pink Sass :)Friday night we are going to dinner and dancing and we are all wearing BLACK! I settled on this dress which I am going to wear with nude pumps:Saturday we are getting our nails done at this adorable place and then having a lingerie shower/party in the hotel suite (and probably some day drinking in between)
so 1 more day of work and I am off for some much needed fun girl time!
hope everyone has a great wknd...I am sure I will have tons of pics to post when I get back!

teaser weather

2011-03-04T11:32:00.003-05:00

last weekend we had what I call "tease" weather...literally it was hot enough to lay out! I didn't b/c I am not ready to put on a bikini (it was okay in Costa)...but we did do some day drinking...my fave...and ps we didn't know it was going to be SO hot and we sweated our booties off...

love my girls :)

oh and ran into college boyz...remember my ex ex? haha

I have a fun filled wknd of girls nights...love when my ladies step in and make sure I go out and have a blast...it is tiring though! haha. Of course it is cold and rainy now...no more teaser pretty weather :( Hope everyone has a great wknd! xoxo

new beginnings

2011-03-02T15:47:00.000-05:00

sorry I haven't been the best blogger lately...my mind and heart have been wrapped up in a more important part of my life. I am sad to say that Richie and I have decided to break up....after weeks of long emotional conversations. Luckily this is a mutual decision that we both have positive thoughts about so it makes it a little easier....we will both be happier in the end whether together or apart. We left things on a very good/healthy note...we are on great terms.
I am excited as I am embarking on the future and have the opportunity to focus on myself as an individual independent woman. If things are meant to be with Richie and I they will BE in the future.
please keep me in your thoughts as I am sure at times it will be very difficult but luckily I have the best friends and family anyone could dream of that will help me get through this.

love xoxo

go figure

2011-02-25T11:32:00.000-05:00

I forgot to update ya'll on Go Figure!
I LOVED it...of course!
I was so super sore yesterday after it too...which I love. The exercises were very hard in regards to how much your muscles BURNED while doing them. This is no cardio activity by any means but your heart rate does get up and it does WORK. The point is the tone your muscles so its a strength training workout.
You work your arms up WAY too long while holding tiny weights (like 1 or 2 lbs) and doing tiny little movements (like only moving 1 inch) and doing different movements to work every muscle in your arms/shoulders/back...feel the burn...then you stretch it out
You work your legs by holding on to the bar and putting a ball between your legs and squating down and holding the squat for WAY too long while squeezing your legs and moving up and down...feel the burn...then you stretch it out
Then you do some pushups
Your work your booty by getting on all fours and holding your leg up for WAY too long and doing tiny movements in all different directions...feel the burn...then you stretch it out
Then you do abs...which were kind of like pilates
Then you stretch again

I really like the instructor and love how she is in such great shape b/c its such a great motivation. I would totally recommend this for a low impact strength training activity.
I would LOVE to go back...I would rather do this type of weight training and muscle sculpting than my normal Body Pump class at the gym b/c I feel it would make you a lot leaner and longer where the other can make you bulky.

My ownly negative/downfall about this studio is that it is so freakin expensive that I couldn't afford to go. $23 for each class or $150 for a month membership...hello?I am not a baller. Maybe one day!

but your first time is free so I would totally recommend anyone trying it!

t.g.i.f.

2011-02-25T09:15:00.001-05:00

I'm in another random mood today...wanted to share a few things with you...

1. thank goodness it is Friday... I am SO stressed at work right now and haven't slept in 3 days and just really need to catch up on my sanity :)

2. I am getting my hair cut tomorrow with a CENTER PART...woah

3. excited about day drinking with the ladies tomorrow on Shem Creek!

4. OOTD from last Saturday that is Pink Sass Top Knot approved:

5. meet my new little pet...haha jk but I want one so freakin bad

6. last wknd we had a Sunday Funday when my mom was in town...we walked around the Battery in the gorgeous weather...and took some pics...

oooh and I made Black Bean Soup last night!
ingredients:
3 cans black beans
1 can white corn
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 14.5 oz can chicken or veggie stock
1 onion
1 clove of garlic
1 tblspn cumin
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

directions:
brown onions and garlic in olive oil in pan
put onion mixture and 1 can undrained black beans in blender and puree, pour into pan
put 1 can undrained black beans and stock in blender and puree, add to pan
pour in can of corn (drained), can of stewed tomatoes (I cut up all the tomatoes first), can of DRAINED black beans, and spices
bring to boil and then simmer for 20 minutes...really yummy served with mexi cheese on top!

super easy and yummy...enjoy!

hope everyone has a GREAT weekend!

the dirty 30

2011-02-24T15:51:00.000-05:00

we went to the surprise 30th bday party of my bestest 'A's' new hubby...he was so surprised...

she planned such a great party!

rando!

2011-02-23T10:44:00.000-05:00

I am going to GoFigure studio tonight for a 'girls night' class...have you heard of GoFigure? it is a Barre fitness studio... looks interesting...I have heard it is a very hard strength training workout...so I will let you know how it goes...of course we are having wine and din after to negate everything we did while working out...in true gal fashion!

so I have a bach party coming up and we are told to wear black Friday night...I need to find something to wear! and I hate this wishy washy season where you don't know if its going to be FREEZING or warm. I found these two options...we are supposed to be in black and 'sexy'...do you think these are good options for March?

on another note...in true stalkerish fashion I 'googled' EMILY from the Bachelor to get the scoop on her 'past' (only b/c I am obsessed with her and will CRY if Brad doesn't pick her!). Yes, I wanted to know what her ex who passed away looked like and figure out how old she was when she was engaged and found out she was preggers....b/c I am nosey!
WELL :)
get the full scoop here I can't believe she dated Dale Earnhart Jr. (but I don't think that looks like her in that pic)
AND AND AND I also read somewhere that she still lives in the house she lived in with her 'ex...that is kind of creepy isn't it? Does anyone know her in the Charlotte area? I just think she is the sweetest, prettiest person ever!

anyways...happy hump day bloggies!

love me some bestie time...

2011-02-21T13:20:00.000-05:00

a few weeks ago my bestie Pink Sass visited for the weekend...I love when she comes b/c it's like we haven't been apart...we get silly and laugh and have the bestest time ever...she convinced me to try a center-ish (I am slowly getting there) part and I LOVE it...love my hair being out of my face!

arm pop for good measure

Richie stopped by to say HEY

bestie got to meet 'A' finally!

I miss her and I want her to come back!

seis costa rica

2011-02-15T14:08:00.000-05:00

here are the rest of my pics from costa....I miss it so much already...they had the craziest, biggest lizards (iguanas)...so scary

Richie finally had a friend come visit and we got our first pic together of the week...this drove me nuts, but didn't seem to bother him...we look so sun kissed :)

what I did every.day. laid out and watched Richie surf...loved.it.

we were invited to dinner at a friends house who lives up on the mountain...had the most gorgeous view...I couldn't get over it...aaah...

so much fun!

papaya tree

and what do you know I was laying out again...same spot...same deal...but I did not get bored of it...no sir

love this shot

lunch at the local cantina...at this point I was sick of rice and beans so I asked for beans and french fries...they thought that was hilarious

oh and a TRIT...couldn't get too many of these scrumptious treats...my rear end is thankful they do not have these in the U.S.

yummo

and we went to the local Italian restaurant (the only semi-nice place to eat)

it was such a cute place

the have wood fire grilled pizza that was the.best.I.have.ever.had.

and then we went to the local town party and danced the night away...we knew it was our last night and we did not want to leave...we rocked it out

packed and ready to go...and sad :(

we stopped on our ride to the airport to take it this gorgeous overlook...and snaps some pics...

acting silly...had a BLAST! can't wait to go back...pretty.please.

Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-14T09:36:00.002-05:00

my hot valentine and I are cooking a yummy dinner in tonight! perfect way to celebrate!
hope everyone has a wonderful Valentines Day! xoxo

cinco costa rica

2011-02-10T16:36:00.000-05:00

this is a very random post of all the random pics I took in Costa Rica...

out to the beach again!and we saw horsees...

these are the Costa Rican fishing boats

nasty pic, but had to take one!

grabbing a beer at the beach cantina

the little town of Pavones

monkeeees!

can you see it? they move FAST so I didn't get that great of a pic :(

Richie made a totum poll....he has the attention span of a 4 year old so laying out wasn't his thing...he had to find things to do!

aaaaah

we went for a walk around Richie's property....these are the houses of the care-takers and renters behind their house

banana tree!

casa blanca again

pretty ocean pics

Coconut!

coconut water is so gooood

pineapple plant!

star fruit

limes....I used a LOT of these for Marg's throughout the week

crazy palm plant

then we went for a HIKE...and I mean HIKE...it was straight up!

gorgeous view of the ocean

yoga studio up the mountain

notice the electricity pole...they just got electricity on the mountain less than a year ago

fun times

so many people ride around on horses for transportation...crazy to me (however I think this horse is WAY too skinny)

fun out on the lava rock on the beach

so cool

so so pretty

PARROTS!!!!!

the 'school' in the town

local grocery store

turtle project

we watched the town soccer game that night

and the sunset over the ocean was behind us

I can't stop taking pictures of the sunsets!!!

oooh and out for dinner 'next door' (all the restaurants are in peoples houses, so you would just walk next door for dinner)

birds of paradise? I think

the normal local grub....fish (or any meat) with rice and beans, salad, and fried plantains...fine with me!

they had the biggest frogs there too! this one was like 6 inches long...crazy!

more to come lovelies! posting these makes me want to go back so bad!

quatro costa rica

2011-02-09T11:15:00.000-05:00

the next day we did it all over again...

watching a hot surfer :)

horseees!

fun in the car

lunch time

a little more sunning

and a little relaxin

hammock. margarita. book. perfection.

another sunset surf sesh

I could do this everyday...oh wait we did...

so freakin beautiful...hope you don't get tired of sunset picks :)

happy hump day people!

tres costa rica

2011-02-08T13:55:00.000-05:00

first day of gorgeous sunlight...let the tanning, and surf watching, and relaxation begin...so happy to see the sun when we woke up!

cute little woodpecker

casa blanca

the steamy beach

pure bliss

and Richie is off to surf the day away!

post card worthy?

aaaah

drying our money to buy a snack

so happy to be soaking up the sun

being creative :)

cooling off

TRITS! best ice cream sammie in the w.o.r.l.d.

evening sesh

me in the shade with my cute new hat...taking in the sunset and watching Richie surf

ps...I was in a palm tree...

having so much fun

wowee

view of sunset from porch

we were so happy to finally get some sun and were exhausted from a fun day! like most nights we cooked dinner, drank lots of wine, and went to bed early...so lovely.

more to come!

PS>> DONT FORGET TO USE YOUR 15% OFF AT LULU's!!! it expires today!
coupon code: CONTRARY

lulu's coupon!

2011-02-07T08:36:00.001-05:00

just for my readers!
15% off at Lulu's.com!

coupon code: CONTRARY

(Coupon is case sensitive. It is valid for customers in the US and Canada and is a one use per customer coupon. The coupon is for 15% off the total purchase and is a site wide discount. It will be valid until February 8th 2011.)

ya'll know I love me some Lulus! it's my first stop when looking for the perfect special occasion dress at a great price...

dos costa rica

2011-02-04T14:39:00.000-05:00

we had a 2 hour car ride...and stop at the grocery store in a different town on the way...

...so we didn't arrive at Surfer's families house until really late...so we went straight to bed...the first full day we were there it rained, which actually was nice because we got tons of sleep and rested all day...we walked around his property and I took pics and we checked out the beach...so pretty even in the rain...

view of backyard

bananas grown on the land

obsessed with these little tiny banana snacks

bfast time

so happy to wake up there

casa blanca

path to the beach

aaah the ocean...

the weather cleared up enough for us to watch the sunset on this huge rock on the beach...so amazing...

sunsets over the pacific....can't get much better than that! we watched it every night...never got old!

happy friday!

uno costa rica

2011-02-03T13:56:00.000-05:00

the flight there...scary plane we had to ride from San Jose to Golfito

me looking all nasty from waking up at 4am...but was oh so excited...

how redic is his hair?

inside plane...yikes

pretty views

loved the clouds

so beautiful!!!

we are getting closer!!!!

aaaaa!!!!

and we are arriving in Golfito

hellz yeah!

scariest plane ever

yay yay yay! we are there!!! no idea what the sign says but I had to get a pic with it!

1st full day of costa to come...

i know i know

2011-02-02T13:53:00.000-05:00

I haven't gained the strength to download all my 1,000 pics from Costa Rica yet....I know, I am so lazy but seriously after getting caught up on everything the last thing I want to do is download pics for some reason, I just want to FB and relax (ei : internet window shopping)

Who else fills up a whole shopping bag of the CUTEST items and then closes out the window so she cannot/won't be tempted to even buy them! hahaha, that is me my friends :)
my impulse shopping vibe was very hippyish today...love these for spring...
It is such gorgeous weather here in Charleston today! Sunny 70 degrees....and I find it so weird that I am reading so many blogs and tweets about being snowed in all over the world...how can the weather be SO different? baffling to me

I got a sweet surprise Monday that my bestie Pink Sass is going to come visit me this weekend! It has been too long again and I am THRILLED she is coming to spend some Quality time together ;) AND PS... she is bringing me my sweet baby Peanut back to me who I miss SO freakin much I could DIE! AND PPS... I just realized I will see my bestie once a month for the next 4 months....oh my heart swells ;)

I made a goal for the first week back from Costa Rica to not eat any processed foods...mainly to reduce my intake of carbs and eat more fruits and veggies...it is crazy how much more energy I already feel! I hope to stick with it as much as possible but man do I miss my granola bars and lunch sammies (bread)...maybe I could make my own granola bars??? has anyone ever done this? send me an easy recipe please! ha

I also am very interested in trying Abdominal Cuts....has anyone tried them? I have heard great things about it and love that it is all natural. I am a huge fan of CLA already and the added other ingredients seem to make it so much more appealing...so just wondering...
I am hoping to start downloading pictures when I gain strength :) so bare with me!
I am so excited to have lots of fun plans coming up...Girls Night Thursday filled with apps and wine (perfecto)...Din w/great friends Friday while waiting on Pink Sass to ARRIVE...Saturday ALL DAY and NIGHT filled with bestie crazyiness...hopefully I can kidnap her Sunday morning too for some fun as well....then Super Bowl Party Sunday night...wowzers

hope everyone has a great day!

I'm back!

2011-01-31T16:19:00.004-05:00

....and had such an amazing time! aaaaah!
full recap once I get caught up at work....geez! it's almost not worth taking vaca's isn't? haha

I missed bloggie world!

costa rica bound!

2011-01-20T10:07:00.000-05:00

tomorrow my friends I leave the country for 10 days! Richie (Surfer...now that you know his name) is taking me to his family home in Pavones, Costa Rica and I cannot be more excited! It is a very small surf town outside of Golfito with nothing to do but soak up the sun and relax (no like seriously there isn't even a restaurant or grocery store)! It is actually nice to go on vacation and only pack bikinis, cover-ups, tanks and shorts....no make-up, no hair dryer! I am kind of (actually I am really) ecstatic about it!

He also got me a few necessities for our trip...I am spoiled...Roxy Sun Hat...so I don't get too much sun on my face...

l
a wrap purse (b/c evidently my 50 lb purse with everything in it but he kitchen sink isn't going to cut it while traveling)cut off jean shorts...just b/c

I am sure I will have TONS of pics when I get back so look forward to it! I am already stressed out about catching up on blog reading when I get back...yikes! I will miss ya'll!

my first half marathon!

2011-01-17T10:17:00.001-05:00

I ran my first half marathon on Saturday! It was SO much fun! the worst part was waiting for 45 minutes in the freezing cold to start...but then after starting I felt amazing...nothing ever hurt in my legs/knees/calves and I was able to run at a super good speed! I finished WAY better than my goal at 1 hr 55 min!!!! yay me! I am SO proud of myself! Here are some after race pics with my medal ;)

and we went out to celebrate after...

today is a good day

2011-01-14T09:23:00.001-05:00

today is a good day b/c I am very excited to run my first half marathon tomorrow morning...and I get to CARB LOAD :) how much better can it get? so I am taking advantage of all the yummy carbs I can find! ha! I think I will make a pizza tonight too :)
Last night Surfer and I went over to our friends Allison and Bens house for a cookout...she mentioned her wedding pics are up on her photographers blog...I couldn't not share these with you...STUNNING! check them out here
I hope everyone has a great weekend! I will be resting and recovering from my race.
I will leave you with pics of my last trip to the beach with pnut...

my little love bug

the big 3-0!

2011-01-13T10:37:00.001-05:00

Surfer turned 30 last week....he said he wanted to get some of his friends together the night of his bday...so I am thinking like his 6 best friends...nope, he sent me a list of like 50 people! yikes! so the 'great gf' that I am sent out an FB event and 30 people ended up coming! it made Surfer oh so happy and we had such a great time...I was a 'bad gf' and didn't take pics of everyone but I did get a few of myself and my friends (tehehe)...happy birthday!

making a wish...

notice the 30 candles...publix does it again, best cake ever!
(oops guess you know his name now ;) haha)

surfers adorable sis

retarded best friends

seriously...they cannot take normal pictures...too many drinks were served

personal goals

2011-01-12T15:24:00.001-05:00

I feel like I need to make 'goals' (challenges rather) this year instead of 'resolutions'...b/c I am already WAY too hard on myself :) so I am going with 'goals' this year...

1. run my first 1/2 marathon (marking this one off this coming up weekend! wish me luck!)
2. learn html and re-design blog (in progress)...learning custom fonts was already a huge accomplishment! yes!
3. go to body pump once a week and do yoga 3 times a week (along with my regular cardio schedule)
4. wash my face and floss my teeth at night (I know gross, but I am very bad at this)
5. goal/motto of the year: DO NOT SETTLE (life, love, career/etc.)....I have been known to do this :)
6. learn to LOVE my body and be happy with it....woah this is a hard one for me...I am very hard on myself
7. and 1 secret goal that I will keep to myself

7 is enough right? baby steps...

what are your goals for the year?

(last year I gave up Diet Coke...woah! go me!)

well hello 2011!

2011-01-10T13:37:00.001-05:00

new year, new look! do you love it?
it's a work in progress because MAN in html difficult!?!? it has been the death of me and my blog for the last three weeks! I have finally figured out enough to get a working blog back up and now I am SO excited to be able to post again! yay! (so more to come on the design)

where have I been?
I had a wonderful holiday with my parents in town....we did a lot of nothing!...relaxing and taking pics of peanut...he loves christmas...

pnut getting his stocking!

me and my baby on Christmas morning (hehe he looks funny)

merry christmas!!!

his new toy that looks like a skooshed fox

I got spoiled as usual with a much needed TV (I was still using my TV from college with the VCR in the front, haha), new running clothes, and TOMS which I am in love with!

but the best present of all was from Surfer...aaaaah! I'm going to Costa Rica in 11 days! I cannot wait you don't even know!

love my little family

breakfast casserole...family Christmas tradition...yummo

Surfer's Christmas present I painted

SO happy about Costa Rica....it will be much needed VACA because I am SUPER stressed at work AND I am running my first Half Marathon THIS SATURDAY....holy moly bat man. So laying on the beach for 8 days is going to be just what I need...thank you Surfer :)

ps...Forever 21 opens in CHS next wknd...words cannot express my emotions :)
pps...it's great to be BACK! xoxo

tweet tweet! @qc_mar

2010-12-27T09:40:00.000-05:00

happy holidays...

2010-12-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season! I know I sure am! I have had non-stop holiday parties and while I love every bit of them (getting dressed up and eating and drinking more than I should), boy is it tiring! I am having a hard time keeping up!
Last weekend I had a little girls get together myself for Holiday Cocktails...here are some pics of my holiday decore and all set up for the partay...

the group of girls who could come....we had such a great time!

post to come on how I made all my decorations this year...details details!

...ps

2010-12-20T13:44:00.002-05:00

I gave up on finding time to design my own blog....so I am hiring someone to do it for me! bare with me as this is my 'interim' generic design...stay tuned to see my new face lift in January! xoxo

so I went to ATL...

2010-12-20T13:38:00.000-05:00

...to celebrate my bestie's bday!!! we had such a great time together! Surfer couldn't go so I was the 'basement wife' again for the weekend...haha. We went to a yummy mexican place Friday night and then had a little photoshoot...then got brunch with another bestie and did some Forever 21 shopping Saturday, followed by frozen yogurt and movies on the couch snuggled with my bestie...then off to the BEST pizza place ever where you literally get to eat in the kitchen...best pizza ever...the wknd was just too short, I do not get to see her enough :(

loves

so very thankful...

2010-12-07T09:11:00.005-05:00

...for an amazing thanksgiving with my family and surfer...

the same spot we take our pics in every year at my g-ma's house...don't know why it's not very pretty ;)...and of course pnut is not looking at the camera, he is very smart!

...for my best college friends I got to see at the Clemson/USC game...

...for the holiday season and getting my first real tree...
... having my mom in town for a week to celebrate her bday and do fun christmas-y things...
after dinner at Fleet Landing watching the Boat Parade on the harbor...... I have been head to toe in glitter decorating for Christmas...tons of craft projects to come!

...I am also very thankful to be celebrating my bestie Pink Sass' bday this wknd!!!!...

I CUT MY HAIR!!!

2010-11-23T09:21:00.003-05:00

I got 4 inches cut off!!! I feel like I have lost a part of me but it is so amazing to have hair that feels soooo healthy ;) I love it! It will take a little while to get used to...JBo and I celebrating her bday over the weekend

I am SO excited to take Surfer home with me for Thanksgiving to meet my moms side of the family. I am also SO excited to go to the Clemson game this wknd and see all of my college besties!!!! I can't sleep I'm so excited! Plenty of pics to come I am SURE!
Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving...I am very Thankful for all of my bloggie friends!

holy crap.ola!!!!!!!

2010-11-19T09:33:00.002-05:00

I bucked up and registered for my first half marathon! holy shiiiat! so now it is official..I am doing it ;) January 15 here I come...