I'm on blogcation.

... Stay tuned for the new mrsloveslife.com

Spa Days

One of my coworkers gave me a Groupon for one week of unlimited spa services at Planet Beach. It's been quite fun to pop in whenever and relax for a bit.

That's me relaxing in the Hydro Massage. You remain completely clothed, lay on a heated bed and water pressure hits all over your body - wherever you would like for it to target.

I thought everything was so funny (while still feeling great) which is why I took pictures to document! In order to renew, I got inside this Hydro-Derma Fusion EGG. I honestly felt like Lady Gaga -

I was inside of this egg while the colors were changing from blue to purple to green, etc. It's truly a hydration party! Steam fills up the egg at 118 degrees, the aromatherapy smells great, and you just lay for 20 minutes to hydrate your skin which helps keep a tan longer.

Now when I say I thought all of this was so funny, I about lost it when my guy showed me this tanning bed. It looks like some kind of device to attract lightening or hone kryptonite. You just lay on the wavy piece in the middle... It's wild.

I have five more of these spa days to try some other fun things, and I am looking forward to it! It's all so entertaining.

To me, Spring is...

The savory delights in life like strawberries. They are so sweet, and with a touch of whip cream, they make the most perfect after dinner snack.

Chapel Hill. I honestly believe there is no prettier place than Spring in Chapel Hill. Everywhere I look, all I see is something beautiful & refreshing.

All of the excitement surrounding Easter. I remember Easter as a little girl, and the Easter Egg Hunts my parents would take me to at a park in sunny Florida. It was always so much fun! There is an Easter Egg Hunt in my neighborhood, and one of the age group options is 8 & up... Am I too old? I don't think so!!

*On another note, I picked up these Peeps yesterday at the grocery store. I love Peeps, and I love being healthy, so I got the sugar-free/60 calorie (for three) Peeps... They are not Peeps! Go for the gold, and get the real thing if you like Peeps too... It's Easter!

Quote Boat - Woody

"Go where you go and do what you do!"

- Woody Durham, The Voice of the Tar Heels (retiring after 40 years)

Never Underestimate

The power of food court Chinese food!

I often find myself craving this pepper chicken from Ichiban at the mall. Our food court reminds me of a market in that all the different vendors are out and about ready to offer free samples. I tried this one day, and their method worked, I am hooked. Yum Yum!

iPad 2

My computer is seven years old, my phone is old and I recently washed my nano in the washing machine... I've been technologically behind.

In comes the iPad 2... It has honestly rocked my life. It truly is an amazing, amazing product, and I could not be more excited about having one. I've never felt more organized!

My favorite Apps so far are:

1. Pandora Radio - I connect my iPad to my car speakers and away I go on an amusing ride to & from work.

2. TWCable TV - I can watch live TV right from the iPad. It's like having a TV in every room, even at the bathtub. I feel like Kate Middleton per this article!

3. fotopedia Paris - It has been quite entertaining to go on a tour of Paris, previewing all of the sites!

I love the camera, and the ability to FaceTime (tonight with Maura!).

iPad 2, you are a blast!

Weekend Recap

This weekend was delightful. Friday night we attended a dinner party in honor of Hank and I (So nice!). We had delicious appetizers, catered Indian, a champagne toast and homemade coconut cake.

Saturday night we went to The White Party. It's an annual ball to raise money for UNC Lineberger which is the cancer center at UNC. This year they hit the million dollar mark which is a good thing for all of us!

After all of the tornadoes and destruction throughout the day, it was surprising such a calm and beautiful evening could exist. We donned our white and headed to the pre-party Cocktail Reception. It was an emotional evening, and it was wonderful to see people who are so passionate about what they do. It's most important to believe in what you are doing everyday!

My favorite artist, Elaine O'Neil, was there. I could honestly not be more obsessed with someone's work! She created this awesome piece of the house where we were (best hostess gift ever):

The art above is made of tiny pieces of fabric that have been stitched together. I'm fascinated by every work of art she creates (which is why I've mentioned her here already).

After the pre-party we walked over to The White Party at the Chapel Hill Country Club.

It was decorated beautifully & the food, drinks and music were just lovely. My favorite thing I ate all night was an oyster burger... How do I make this at home?

We met 'The Voice of the Tar Heels,' Woody Durham, and we had some fun at the silent auction -

All in all a perfect night for an even better cause!

Quote Boat - Live to 90+

"The only bit of advice I would give the world is get a job that you enjoy doing; it gives you a lot of satisfaction. There is nothing sadder than hearing someone say, 'I'm going to retire next year, thank God.' It speaks to a misspent life... I celebrate everyday, I've done that all my life."

- Seth Glickenhaus, age 97

This is an excerpt from a great article, read it here.

Love is a beautiful thing.

Danny & Annie from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

This one really got me.

Oh My Gosh

I love her...

She is so cute, and she has got it going on.

Quote Boat - Chin Up

Mmmm

Somehow a drink tastes more delicious and more summery when it's in a mason jar with a crazy flamingo straw. It's the little things.

Invigorated

I feel invigorated.

It all started when I realized how much I hate paper. I hate receipts. I hate going through junk mail. I hate having so much office paper. I just hate paper. It's such a waste as it ultimately ends up in the trash, and it is such a hassle to tear things up and throw them away. Then when you have paper that is important and you can't throw it away, well then you just have to keep up with it and keep it organized. I had to carry my work tote with two hands yesterday, because it was so filled with 'important' papers. Last night I cleaned it all out, and this was the result:

Carrying the tiniest purse I own to work today - as my work tote! It felt good. Now this may appear small, but it's about to get even smaller. This weekend I will finalize disregarding all paper around the house. Then once my iPad 2 arrives, I'm going completely digital! All bills that aren't already, will be switched over to email only. All important documents will be scanned and put in a nice folder in my email account. Then I'll just be walking around with one 9.50" x 7.31" device. The contents of my wallet & my cell will even fit in the pocket of my iPad case.

Whew... I can already tell this invigorating feeling is about to get even better.

Now if companies would take a nod from Apple and email their customers their receipts, all would be good & paper free in the world.

Tar Heel 10 Miler

This race was centered around only one of my favorite towns, Chapel Hill.

Expos are always fun, and the Tar Heel 10 Miler Expo did not disappoint. I got lots of free things, but I also purchased some much needed running essentials - a commemorative sticker, BodyGlide to prevent chafing and blisters, and Sweaty Bands, which are very cute 'stay put' headbands.



The course was beautiful & fair. It wound through breathtaking neighborhoods. Chapel Hill is known for its abundance of trees, and it certainly made for a pretty run. There were as many downhills as there were uphills, and while it was an overcast day, it was quite nice not having to think once about being hot.

My chip time was 1:52:17. My goal was anything under 1:45, but I'll take it! They had a 'Laurel Hill Challenge' where they timed and gave awards based on one hill alone. It took me 11:14 just to make it up this hill. I swear all that was moving were my arms!



In any event, I got my medal and had a fun time running with my future family. There was even a Pancake Breakfast to celebrate!



Congrats to Hank on his first big run!! He's a natural & because of that we'll just call him Turbo. He came in at 1:21:04!

Shrek The Musical

Hi, Shrek!



This musical was too cute and quite funny. It included lots of adult humor. That's the one nice thing about being an adult, actually getting the adult humor. I remember my parents laughing at various things in movies or shows when I was a kid, and I wouldn't get what was so funny... "You'll understand when you're older!"



Pinocchio had a great costume - I still can't believe how real they made his joints look, and his nose that grew so often during the show... Amazing!



Thank you for our tickets, Kat & Meg!!

GQ

Love Hank's Vegas outfits! Here he is with his groomsmen:





My future hubs is hot, hot, HOT. I love him so!!!! 24 days : )

Vegas Glitz

Hank surprised me with my favorite kind of postcards from VEGAS... Glitter postcards!!!!

Breakfast To Go

My breakfasts consisted of yogurt and/or a banana for awhile, and it got to be quite boring. I've decided to spice things up recently, and I've really been enjoying it.

In a to go bowl:

2 Scoops of Fat Free Cottage Cheese

Generously add Triple Berry Crunch by Bear Naked Fit on top

Make designs with honey

Delicious!

Bachelorette Pad

I was excited to have an ANDREA night Friday night!!

I had a pizza party for one complete with chic flicks & wine. I stayed up until 2 AM and just partied & played. I got lots & lots of wedding fun accomplished this weekend... Success!

Quote Boat - A Movie's Last Line

"You meet thousands of people, and none of them really touch you. And then you meet one person, and your life is changed. Forever."

- Jamie Randall (Jake Gyllenhaal), Love & Other Drugs

"Sometimes in life there really are bonds formed that can never be broken. Sometimes you really can find that one person who will stand by you no matter what. Maybe you will find it in a spouse and celebrate it with your dream wedding. But there's also the chance that the one person you can count on for a lifetime, the one person who knows you sometimes better than yourself, is the same person that has been standing beside you all along."

- Marion St. Claire (Candice Bergen), Bride Wars

My Weekly Gratitude

Thank you to...

Hank for a lovely celebration of us... Sweet Six!

Santa for my Autobell Calendar - March was a free wash.

Jersey Mike's for giving my sub combo money to the Red Cross.

Amy for turning 23 - We had a fun birthday dinner at Angus Barn.

the Marriage License and DMV Offices - both done in 30 minutes!

my eyes for keeping my contact prescription the same in both.

Vegas for being good to Hank!

"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."

Crossing the finish line after 13.1!

I want to always remember how amazing this moment felt.

VEGAS BABY

Hank is off to Vegas with 10 guys for his Bachelor Party.

Here's to hoping I don't get a phone call like this one from the movie The Hangover. Have so much fun you guys!!