Weekend Recap

Just a few snapshots of my weekend. How was yours?

xox,
Kate

Sold!

Today's the day! My hand is cramping for signing my name so many times but we officially have a key...and a new home! I am so excited and nervous and excited that I can't contain myself.  My poor husband has been listening to my spontaneous squeals of excitement all morning.  Now, we just need to finish packing and we're home!

~Kc

Leave me out with the waste, this is not what I do...

Prepare for the most boring blog post ever... Here's a few random photos off my phone from the past couple of weeks. The last one is an amazing card my friend sent me- love it!!! Gonna be a busy time leading up to my trip next week. Oh, didn't I mention that I'm going to Paris and back to Ireland? Well, yeah- that's happening <cue chorus of jealous screams> Enjoy the photos, and know that I'm very envious of anybody sleeping past 5am tomorrow!


El Rodeo for Fat Tuesday with Megan




Fat Tuesday Beers




State Street Harrisburg




Crazy Sisters




Inspiration in the grocery store




Oh hey there BFF.




LOL



If you haven't heard the song this post title is from, do so now.

~M

Breaking a habit

I don't know about the rest of you but I'm a Facebook stalker.  I rarely ever post anything other than the occasional comment or happy birthday remark.  But, I am finding that it's causing me more stress lately due to other people's actions.  It's not worth it.  I keep in touch with my close friends on a regular basis so it really shouldn't be that difficult to quit Facebook...I think.

I remember a few years ago when Kate gave up Facebook for Lent. I thought that was impressive.  I'm not Catholic but I'm going to copy Kate and give it up myself for a few months.  This could be a good thing.  What I don't know can't hurt me.

I think I will need my husband to change my password for me in order to make this work. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?

~Kc

Grape Adventure

I can't believe we haven't uploaded photos from when Mindy and LC visited the great state of Virginia  weeks ago! We talked endlessly and laughed a lot and I introduced Mindy and LC to their first winery tour. It was pure joy and I loved every second it. So very lucky to have these girls in my life.

1. Highly recommend checking out Mediterranean Cellars Winery if you ever find yourself in the Warrenton, VA area.

2. Kate (L) and LC (R)

3. A dusting of snow made for gorgeous scenery

4. LC (L) and Mindy (R)

xoxo,

Kate



p.s. It only took me one year of blogging to finally figure out how to make a collage. Feeling very accomplished today.

The Color Run

Doesn't this look awesome? I totally doing it!

::I'm going to make LC do it too::



xoxo,

Kate

Maybe the groundhog was right?

This picture was taken in January in Cary, NC.  The trees are in full bloom in front of my house. A beautiful pink that just screams spring is on the way...

This picture was taken yesterday.  We went from nearly 70 degrees on Saturday to snow on Sunday.  And it should be back in the 70's in a few days. 

I'm not complaining. I'm enjoying my heating bills this winter. I am glad that I got to see just a little bit of the white stuff.  It made everything look pretty, even if it only lasted for about an hour this morning.

Spring can come now in full force. I'm ready.

~Kc

Weekend Recap

The weekend flew by as they always do. On Friday, I joined some friends for a happy hour at Vinoteca to celebrate Jen's upcoming birthday. The weather was so lovely that we spent the evening outside (in February!) around the bocce court.

My Saturday revolved around food as most Saturdays do. Yogurt parfait in the AM followed by a Five Guys burger AND chocolate cake. Clearly someone is living large before Lent sets in this week.

For those of you who have Monday off, please enjoy it for me! I'll be at the office bright and early...

xoxo,

Kate

Only a Girlfriend

Today, M and I met at the mall for a little catch-up time.  We walked, chatted and ate a delicious Chick-fil-A lunch.  Everything was going really great until it came time for Maverick's lunch.  Lets set the scene:

It was about 1:15 p.m. on a chilly, rainy Thursday.  Naturally, the mall was semi-crowded as folks ran some quick errands on their lunch hour.  We were sitting on a bench, picking out the girls who had a great life going based solely upon their sense of style, chicness and fashion, as Goosey burned off some extra energy (thanks to M sharing her chocolate candy) running between stores.  Maverick was doing a great job noshing away on his bottle, when all of the sudden, out of no where, he projectile vomited.  White, curdled milk was everywhere; Maverick's face and clothes were COVERED, spit-up landed on my shirt, leggings and boots.  And to make matters worse, Goosey was just running over to tell us something, when she slipped on and fell into the large puddle of spit-up that landed on the floor.  Surprisingly, as strangers surveyed the scene and cast their "this-mom-is-in-way-over-her-head" glares, I wasn't completely mortified or upset.  With every second that passed, M and I just laughed harder and harder.  

While Maverick looks completely cute and put-together in the picture above, there was nothing cute about the mess and madness we created in the mall.  M and I spent the next moments cleaning up the chaos and wishing that we had been able to capture the last few minutes on film because we were sure no one would ever truly believe just how much of a scene it was.

As I was driving home, I realized just how lucky I was to share that moment with M.  Only a girlfriend would help clean up sour milk, then help change and clean-up my kids in the back of my minivan, and then hug me  despite my spit-up covered shirt.  Only with a girlfriend would I be able to look back on a memory like that, and laugh.

Hugs to our followers (especially M),
LC

Thankful List

At the moment, I'm very thankful for:

Mr. Clean with Febreze multi-service cleaner in the scent Lavender Vanilla & Comfort. It makes my apartment smell like a summer afternoon. Which means I can actually tolerate cleaning the bathroom.

Ah, Post-its. They are ingenious and I love them.

 Hold on to your hats, these Chinese-Style Turkey Meatballs are, without a doubt, the best meatballs I've ever had. You must make them as soon as possible.

And last but not least, I'm so very thankful for recent visits with friends. So very thankful, indeed.

xoxo,
Kate

Hold me close honey, say you're mine forever...

It’s Valentine’s Day!!!!!  Everyone have amazing plans with their loved ones? No? Just sulking & hating the day away??? Well, since I know how much you blog-fans love my lists and posts about nonsense, I offer this little VDay gift for you: My Top 10 Valentine’s Crushes of 2012.

1. Sam Cooke

If you don’t like Sam Cooke’s music, we really shouldn’t be blog friends anymore. I mean, have you heard Cupid??? I die. No comment on his death and supposed alcohol/drug/woman abuse. Maybe I should clarify- this crush is mostly about his musical appeal. But it's also about this photo that I’d like to have framed and hanging in every room I’m ever in.

2. Soccer Studs
David Bechham was definitely sent from hell to torture me from afar with his delicious body and semi-decent soccer skills. If you’ve been living under a rock and have yet to see his new H&M commercial, here it is…

Welcome back, did you drool all over your laptop? Now that the obvious is out the way we can focus on better Soccer Studs, such as Clint Dempsey who became the first American to score a hat-trick in the Premiership just a few weeks ago. It was awesome. I could add a million names to this category, but we have lots to cover. Further reading check here.

3. Karl Pilkington

Watching Idiot Abroad is one of my favorite things to do on a Saturday night (sad, I know). Karl is so awkwardly funny, I just can’t get over it. Anyone with an accent gets an automatic bid for this crush list, but Karl is the dopiest man ever and I love him for it. Season 2 is airing right now, but there are tons of great Karl clips all over Youtube. This is one of my favorites:

4. European Musicians with Facial Hair

Louis Abbott of Admiral Fallow



Damien Rice




Glen Hansard of The Frames/The Swell Season




Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit

Basically, take any guy with a decent amount of musical talent, add an accent and a bit of facial hair and I instantly want to marry him. (A fitted army jacket of sorts just puts me over the edge) It’s not fair that there is this giant ocean separating me from people who pronounce Aluminum in that oh so special way. All I’d like is a song to be written about Aluminum and sung by an Irish or Scottish guy who hasn’t shaved in 6 days. DREAM COME TRUE!!! For now, I just watch this video over and over…

5. Robert Duvall

Before people start in with “Ewww, why does she love Robert Duvall?” let me offer you these two words: Boo. Radley. My ultimate Valentine’s wish would be for Robert Duvall to hide things in trees for me. Icing on the cake: he saves me from being attacked when I’m dressed up as Ham. Somebody make it happen!



6. People who submitted pictures of themselves “Bradying” after the Superbowl.

Great work, Internet. I’m really happy you’re a part of my life and we laugh at these things together. (ps- Giselle is the WORST, am I right???)


7. Louis CK

He’s old, balding and has a bit of a beer belly. HEAVEN!!! If you’ve never seen/heard any of Louis’s stand up, you are living an empty life. Lucky me has seen him live 2x now and I religiously watch his show on TV. His guest spots on Parks and Rec were pretty great too. Plus, I don’t think he’d judge my "Sweatpants Sundays".


8. Second Best People
You know how every great duo has a “second best” half? Well, that’s me in literally every category of my life (little sister syndrome). I’ve learned to embrace it over the years, but it’s also made me particularly found of these gentlemen who are supportive of their “better” halves.

Quit trying to give me the flu, Mike.



You're only slightly taller and slightly better than me, Cal.

Mom says only one of us gets to drop our pants and be famous, Donny

Ok, well this is a toss up since Crosby never even plays anymore. Love them both!

9. Jason Segel
Loves muppets? Check. Knows the score to Les Miz? Check. Gigantically tall & loves sandwiches? Check.


Someone got the memo about fitted army jackets

 Do I really have to say anything else??? Let’s just move on, there’s no fault to be found here.
 
10. Boys of True Blood
This HBO show is filled with an abundance of hot bods (usually scantilly clad) to look at season after season. Obviously, Alex Skarsgard goes to the top of my list due to my afore mentioned accent fettish.

But Joe Manganiello is a Pittsburgh guy so he is a very, very close second.

Not only are the guys on the show part of my Valentine’s Crush, but added into this bunch are my friends Toby, William, Jack and Jason who watch True Blood with me every Sunday night all summer long. It’s one of my favorite traditions and these guys are some of my best friends. Always happy to have them around :)

Alright, that’s it. I kept the list down to 10, not too shabby for a girl who hearts hearts, boys and making lists. If you didn’t make the cut this time, there’s always next year.

Hearts & Hugs,
M

Hiatus

Let's get real for a second.

I haven't been the best at blogging in 2012. Obviously. I've lacked inspiration and time. But, I'm going to change that.

The other day, as we were finishing a conversation, my dear friend, Deidre, left me with, "Go be great!". And that stuck with me. At that moment, that was the inspiration I needed.

Hello, I'm back.

I haven't been great about taking photos so I'll leave you with two beautiful images from my phone:

xoxo,
Kate

TAR.......HEELS!

Tonight is the night. The greatest rivalry in college sports.  The Duke Blue Devils will be traveling the few miles down 15/501 to the Dean Dome to play my beloved Tar Heels at 9pm.  I will be in front of the TV...stressing out, screaming obscenities or cheering with love (depending on how the Heels are playing). 

My husband will either be beside me doing the opposite of whatever I am doing or upstairs because we can't be in the same room.  That's because we are a house divided.  Let's just hope our marriage survives tomorrow (and then we'll have to do it all over again on March 3).

I'm nervous. The Heels are playing well.  The Dookies have struggled lately. But, when it comes to these two teams it doesn't matter.  It's always a good game.

Let's go Tar Heels!

~kc

Are you ready for some football...or basketball?!

I can't wait for this weekend.  Sadly, not so much for the super bowl as for the fantastic basketball games that are on TV but I'll take football too.  UNC is playing, the DOokies are playing and we've got the granddaddy of them all with the Kansas vs. Missouri game on Saturday night.  For those that know my family, this is the big one (my mom is from Kansas and my dad is from Missouri).  This is the pre-game to the UNC/Dook game that will be taking place next week (oh my marriage...).

Anyways, with exciting sporting events comes the need for yummy foods.  At least, that's what it means in my world. I have a bunch of recipes that I plan to try this weekend.


Spinch, goat cheese, chicken quesadillas with an avocado sour cream.
Does that not sound delicious (and somewhat healthy)? I am obsessed with goat cheese.


From Sugar Cooking

Garlic chicken puffs.
These looks yummy and easy! I like snacks that I can just pop in my mouth.

From Tidy Mom

Vegetable Sushi
LC got me hooked on veggie sushi a few years ago. This is going to be my short-cut version.

From Live Love Pasta

I'm sure I'll throw in a few more of my standard appetizers this weekend but I'm excited to give these newbies a try.

~Kc

Dressed to kill

I like to think that if I were a celebrity, I'd have an amazing style.  However, we all know that money doesn't necessarily buy class.  But, these stars hit it perfectly at this year's SAG awards.

All images are from MSN's Wonderwall.

This pink dress is both adorable and hot--awesome combination. Love the color and the cut.  Big time improvement over the dress she wore to the Golden Globes.

Dianna Agron from Glee!

This dress is perfection. The color is gorgeous and the cut is so incredibly flattering. Plus, it's basically an exact replica of my wedding dress.  Love, love, love. Well done Jane Lynch.

Jane Lynch from Glee!

I have a girl crush on Natalie Portman ever since seeing No Strings Attached.  I think this dress is beautiful!

Natalie Portman

While this dress isn't my favorite of the SAG awards, I adore Guiliana Rancic so I had to put her in my list.  Love everything about her and her husband.

Guiliana Rancis from E!

First, I'd love to have the body to wear these dresses.  Then, I'd love to have the money and reason to wear these dresses. I think they should have prom for adults.

~Kc