My Secret Talent... Revealed.

I have this talent. I think it's pretty cool. I can walk by any patch of clovers and immediately spot all of the four leaf clovers in the patch. One of my friends passed this talent along to me when I was in high school, and I've been exercising it ever since.



It's crazy how little time there is in the day to take notice of a patch of clovers. Today I actually found some time while waiting for the bus after work. I found three four leaf clovers to give to Hank!

Poppin' Champagne... Pumps! Cheers!

My best friend sent me photos of some really, really cute champagne pumps.





I need some champagne pumps! With bows? Yes, I love bows!

These are from 'Off Broadway Shoes.' I don't have that store within 50 miles, or I would definitely go try on either of these two pairs.

Red Carpet at Chic-fil-A

Last week there was quite the event at Chic-fil-A. I had an email to pick any meal... Free! I had my picture taken with the cow:

And they had a free ice dream bar, and I picked gummy bears to add to my cup:

There's nothing like the feeling of being a kid again, and gummy bears are just what brought back that feeling for me. Thank you to Chic-fil-A for the red carpet treatment ; )

Office Surprise

They'll make me go who-o-o, who-o-o when I achoo, achoo!

Thank you for thinking of me, Kat. So nice!!

Kindergarten Loves

Hank and I with dinosaur and Disney's Ariel lunch boxes in tow!

My First International Flight

We were returning home after living in Japan for a year!

VS Coupon

I love the coupon from Victoria's Secret that comes in the mail. It not only always has a coupon for a free pair of panties but also a coupon for $10 off any purchase... Nice! Well I got mine in the mail today, and I was so excited. The I opened it and...



One of my coupons is missing! I know the economy isn't the best but coupons gone missing? My goodness. Such a disappointment... I hope someone is enjoying my free panties!

My New Kicks

AYE! AYE! AYE! I got new kicks this weekend! I've been rocking these Brooks:



Since 2005! My mom bought them for me for my jogging class my freshman year of college, and I just completed my first half marathon in them too. Needless to say they are worn! I love them though, and they have successfully gotten me through all they needed to & then some.



Here are my new kicks!! These Mizunos are fitted just for me, and they have hot pink accents, tons of breathing room for my toes and are very lightweight. They even have these:



Metallic crocodile accents! I just ran my first four miles in them, and it was quite comfortable. I forgot what shocks and cushion in sneakers feel like!

My Weekly Gratitude

Thank you to...

Carolina for winning (and fingers crossed for a win tonight too).

Disney for continuing to have exceptional customer service.

Chic-Fil-A for so many free meals this month, what is the deal?

my work for letting me borrow the Flip HD.

my nail, hair and make-up ladies for a great bridal portrait run!

my photographer for some great shots.

Laura for all of her amazing assistance at the bridal session.

Hank for a fun date night at Top of the Hill.

Apple for exchanging my iPhone 4 case for an iPad 2 smart cover.

... iPad 2 better get here soon, I'm ready to FaceTime with Maura.

Zumba for making exercising so much fun... Just as it should be.

Laura for coming to Zumba with me & taking me to Pure Barre.

Mom for a delicious steak dinner with Hank & I at Yadkin Valley Steakhouse.

Dad for a nice run on Saturday afternoon - our first run together!

the RYC for a lovely shower.

Megan for catching up over a great lunch at BUNS.

me for being able to eat only one sweet potato fry at aforementioned BUNS.

life for so many exciting happenings ahead.

*This is two weeks worth of thanks, so I probably forgot a lot!

"Weekly Gratitude is a movement started to say out loud or in writing those things that have fulfilled us, changed us, touched us or simply made us happy that week. It's a fantastic way to the end the week, and a brilliant way of constantly reminding ourselves how blessed we are, even during the toughest of weeks. It's a movement towards self reflection, thankfulness and peace. At the end of every week, take a moment to think about and write down those things or moments you are grateful for."

Sweet Six

We're celebrating six years of love today.

It's truly unbelievable how quickly time passes.

I'm so happy that in a little over a month I will marry my best friend. The one I laugh with and dream with, the one I live for and will love forever.

Happy Six Years, Hank.

And they were showered with love.

Ladies' Shower -

Here are the bridesmaids with groom:

Couple's Shower -

Each of these showers had amazing food & the best company.

We had such a blast!

'S' Cupcakes

From our couple's shower this past weekend...



I've always wanted monogrammed cupcakes!



Thank you Amy & the RYC! This shower was wonderful.

Freedom

I changed my Facebook settings so I no longer receive any sort of notifications via e-mail. I enjoy being unplugged from technology and immersed in real life. This is something I found out about myself during our marriage counseling sessions. Three cheers for self-discovery.

I read a line in a book over the weekend, and it mentioned how a cell phone is there for our convenience not for the caller's. This really opened my eyes to the evolution of the use of a cell phone. It did start as a convenience - to call someone when you were running late, needed a ride, in case of an emergency... Now it pulls you away from the moment you are in - a conversation with a friend, time with family, time with your own thoughts... I think there is nothing more rude then when you are out to dinner with someone and they are constantly checking updates on their phone. Why are we spending time together again?

Enjoy the moment you are in at that moment, because it's real life. You can check your messages at your convenience.

Summer is coming. I love the idea of rocking on one of the rocking chairs on the front balcony. Taking in the stars, the fireflies... Drinking a delicious drink out of a mason jar, having a real conversation with someone I love, and just enjoying all that is this sweet life.

This is the picture I have painted, and I love it most when it is Facebook updates and cell phone free! Find time to unplug yourself, even if it's just for a bit.

I want this one

It's too bad that Victoria's Secret isn't matching up all of their in-store suits with their online ones. I want this one, but it's a hard one to track down in-store:

It says I'm a mermaid, and I would like to live under the sea (with glitters). I'm on the hunt for it this weekend, and I hope to come back to report a success. I've had the same bathing suits for years, and I think it's about time for at least one new one. I hope this is it!

True Confession Tuesday

I'm obsessed with TOMS Shoes.

Why haven't I owned them since their first drop in 2006? I love that they are the kind of shoe where who cares if everyone else is wearing them? That makes it even better! We're all helping to protect children's feet with their 'One for One Movement.'

I have the pink and ivory glitters, and they are great.

Aside - There are knock-offs of everything. Yet over the weekend I came across BOBS, and I about lost it.

For almost the same price, invest in the real thing, TOMS Shoes. It's worth knowing your purchase is really going towards a pair for you AND a pair of TOMS Shoes for the kids!

Hot & Hazzardous

Thank you for posting, Nicole. This is exactly what I needed to see as my fitness inspiration. Tone, tone, tone it up! I forgot how hot Jessica Simpson looked in the movie Dukes of Hazzard.

Olive Outfits

This dress.

Is my most favorite find as of late.

I've been on the prowl for a one strap. I wanted it to have ruffles and be flattering. I honestly have no clue what I was thinking, but I was at the mall & had about exhausted my search when I wandered into The Body Shop, now Body Central. Yes to whatever your thoughts are on this store. Regardless...

Ahhh, I saw it in blue first. Then the associate told me they had it in black, and in coral (and even in red). It was so perfect I would have paid whatever for it, but with a price tag of $22, I snatched it up in black & coral. It's my jam!! Not to mention I received great customer service to go along with it... Lucky day!

I've received so many compliments paired with an equal amount of bewildered expressions in regards to where it was purchased. Brave the store, attack & rock that dress - You wont regret it!

GiGi's Cupcakes

I love cupcakes so very much. The idea of that much love & attention being given to each individual's treat is the best. This is precisely why we are having a cupcake cake at the wedding!! The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery in Raleigh is number one in my book! They're cake is delicious, their frosting the perfect amount and their cupcake names adorable.

There's been much hype surrounding the new Gigi's Cupcakes, so I just had to check it out. Did I choose the wrong cupcake place for my wedding?

Their display was quite nice, and their cupcakes looked dreamlike. They don't charge for each individual box which is perfect for gift giving! I picked out one for myself, Hank and Kathleen for her birthday.

Well I don't know about Hank & Kathleen, but I give Gigi's two thumbs down, especially in comparison to The Cupcake Shoppe. There was two times too much frosting, and I thought it just tasted whatever. When you are consuming that many calories, there should be no whatever about it! Here is my tower of overly frosted blandness:

Did I choose the right cupcake place for my wedding? YES!!

I wont be heading back to Gigi's... Ever. I'm a loyal customer to The Cupcake Shoppe, and I can't wait to have one on my wedding day!! So happy Kathleen will be there to have one too! Which is why you should always try out a treat before gifting it... Lesson learned.

Three cheers for The Cupcake Shoppe!

Blue Man Group

They are fantastic. I saw them on Broadway, and I've seen them in Charlotte. Besides the intimacy of their theatre in New York, this was my favorite show of theirs yet!

This show is all about the audience! We laughed. A lot. We all stood up and danced. A lot. They went through all the traditional rock concert movements. My favorite song was 'Shake your Butt.' They went through every word imaginable for shaking your butt, rear, jiggle twins, etc.

"It's time to set your air balloons (your butt) free."

It was the ultimate dance party with loud music, black lights, toilet paper, giant balls, confetti, foam noodles, etc.

AMAZING.

Photos by Hank

Luck 'o the Irish to ya'

Monkey Bread

4 packages of refrigerated biscuits (8 per package)

Cut biscuits into quarters

Shake in a Ziploc bag with:

1 cup sugar

2 t cinnamon

Put into a greased and floured bundt/tube pan. Pour remaining sugar/cinnamon mixture over the biscuits. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup chopped pecans. Melt 1 cup brown sugar and 1 stick margarine/butter and pour over biscuits. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Delight in it!

My Bridesmaids

Showtime in 1.5 months!!

Let's Play

I Spy... Andrea!

My favorite photo of the night of me and six of the guests! Everyone's faces and actions are priceless. I love my friends!!

Thank you ladies for my drinks ; )

Team Effort (Super Long Post Style)

My bachelorette party was the best. Everything came together perfectly.

My matron of honor, Kathleen, created some great invitations, both electronically as well as a beautiful paper one ready to be placed in my scrapbook. You can see her beautiful displays of pink wine glasses and punch cups in the photo above. She had some adorable paper products for us all to use, bachelorette napkins and dessert plates, as well as HOT PINK plates and plastic cutlery paired with black napkins. I've always wanted to use hot pink plastic cutlery! She baked some tasty strawberry cupcakes for us for dessert, and for breakfast, she baked one of my absolute favorites, Monkey Bread.

I'll be sure to include her family's recipe in an upcoming post. Kathleen came early to decorate, and she placed 'bachelorette party' mints in a big martini glass, put a black tablecloth on the dining room table and jazzed it up with beads for everyone to wear.

She sprinkled big diamond rings about for each of the ladies to rock as well. Kathleen also had some fun scratch off cards she placed about too. The scratch off cards certainly made for an entertaining read!

Please note the decorated pig in the background here. He's sporting his own headpiece as well as beads, and he has the invitation on his chalkboard. Crazy pig!

As I mentioned on Friday, one of my bridesmaids, Maura, flew in from NYC. Our friend Cara was fabulous enough to drive her around to all of her errands - so nice!!!! Kathleen gifted to me a crown with veil and a whistle to wear, and Maura polished off my outfit just beautifully:

She added a lovely crown, "buy me a shot, I'm tying the knot," a WHITE BOA, and the kicker, a light-up sash. It was the best. Maura made sure I was all lit up and that I matched perfectly.

Maura also made a favorite punch, Pink Panty Pulldown, inspired by The Sisters (Amy & Laura - my future sisters). This punch includes Sprite Zero, pink Crystal Light and vodka. It's on the 'healthier' side in regards to cocktails. Maura added some hot pink & classy straws for us to drink from. So bachelorette!

My maid of honor, May, had some snacks and soft drinks for us for before and after POLE DANCING CLASS. Always important! She reserved our class time at Aradia Fitness. It was a super fun and entertaining class. It was the first thing I said I wanted to do when I was asked about my bachelorette party. I saw Aradia Fitness at a wedding show I went to last year, and I was immediately hooked. All of the girls chipped in to pay for my portion of the class, which I thought was so, so very nice. We learned a routine and had a blast performing it. Although, what we learned most of all was how to 'sexy up'!

My bridesmaids & future sisters, Amy and Laura, provided one amazing dinner. It was from my favorite Italian restaurant, Daniel's. Oh my deliciousness. We had caesar salad, lasagna, garlic bread and even a meatless pasta for the three vegetarians in the house.

After dinner it was time to 'glitter up'! It was so fun to have all of the girls getting ready in the house. Everyone put on their black outfits and glammed it up. I made sure no lady would be leaving the house without glitter. Color options were Tarte's sugar daddy or gold digger... You pick! Maura made me look extra lovely by applying Bobbi Brown's hot pink gloss... Ooh la la.

Then it was present & game time. Kat shared with us the most fun theme for presents, so a new tradition was born. I can't share the theme until after the wedding & honeymoon... So hold the suspense! It will be a Mrs. Loves Life delight. After presents, we played 20 questions - chubby bunny style. It's a classic. Kathleen touched base with Hank beforehand and asked him 20 questions about him & us. I think I got 16 out of 20 right. For every question of the 20 you get wrong, a marshmallow goes in your mouth... Obviously you see where too many wrongs would get you (in quite the predicament). Then Maura had us compete in a drawing competition, and it was a willie good time ; )

Then we headed out on the town. We went to my two favorite places, Rum Runners (a dueling piano bar) and The Hive. Rum Runners is for singing & dancing, and The Hive is all dancing. Here I am on the piano at Rum Runners - dueling piano bars are my all time favorite.

One thing I loved most about my bachelorette party was all of my different groups of friends coming together to play. I had my elementary/middle/high school friends, my college friends, my coworkers & my real world friends and my future sisters. I love each of them so.

Happy Bachelorette!

Thank you Amy, Cara, Carson, Jamie, Jen, Kat, Kathleen, Laura, Laura, Mallory, Maura and May for putting the HAPPY in Happy Bachelorette! And to the lovely ladies that could not make it, we missed you being there!

*A special thanks to Jen, Kat and Mallory for their late night driving - keeping us safe by being awesome DDs (even when you're not given the best directions to work with).