HOORAY!

today is a fabulous day. 

despite the crummy weather that is giving me a big dose of "seasonal depression"

forget the fact that its only thursday and that means another day of work tomorrow

nevermind that i woke up late and had no time to eat breakfast

it is still a fabulous day.

Why?

Because i woke up to this tweet:

"@billrancic The "Duke" has landed! Edward Duke Rancic was welcomed into the world last night at 7lbs 4oz. G & I feel blessed beyond words...We did it!"

I don't know about yall, but I am obsessed.

I love that the 2 of them finally have a baby to call their own

and they might just be the cutest hollywood couple ever.

But there is not just 1 reason that today is a great day.

It is also the start of College Football Season!

My favorite season of the year.

Even though the calendar (or the weather man!) doesn't agree-

everyone in the SEC knows that it is officially fall.

Break out your boots, gameday dresses and best tailgate food.

practice your rooster call, your U-S-C chant, and your GOOOO COCKS!

brush up on your shotgunning skills and your corn hole toss

and let the games begin!

Please join me in saying a prayer to the Big Man that

Spurrier and his boys can pull out a winning season. I have faith!

BEAT VANDY!!

bubbly.

it comes as no surprise to anyone who knows me that i love champagne.

i had a reputation in college to drink my Andre straight from the bottle,

(classy, i know.)

i find that brunch isn't brunch without a mimosa,

a birthday isn't as sweet without a champagne toast

and well, a fridge isn't full unless it contains a bottle of bubbly.

It's also no surprise how much I love Kate Spade jewelry

(point blank)

maybe thats why I found this purchase absolutely necessary.

That's right, a cork and gold Kate Spade bracelet.  oh, Kate.  You had me at the product description:

we've been known to pop a cork (or two!) of our favorite bubbly

when there's a reason to celebrate around the office---birthdays, wedding engagements, fridays...

a nod to all-things festive, we've crafted this chic bangle of lightweight cork and gold-plated metal,

sure to add the perfect dose of dazzle to your summer ensembles. 

I just know that it's going to look great on my arm.

And, it's on sale. which means it looks even better to my bank account

quarter of a life

Today is the day. 

I am officially a "mid-twenty".

25 years old. 

A quarter of a century. 

Half way to 50.

Closer to 30 than I am 20.

I imagined waking up this morning feeling every bit of my age.  I thought that I'd wake up a little more tired, a little darker under the eyes, and a little more achey.  Much to my surprise, I woke up feeling great.  In fact, I feel much better than I did yesterday.  There is something about a birthday that gives you that extra jolt to wake you up.  It puts a little pep in your step. Makes your day a whole lot brighter. 

Maybe its the 10pm phone call i got from a friend.  "id wait until midnight, but i have a bedtime" (yes, we're old now.) or the midnight phone call from another.  It can't hurt that at 6 am my mom called singing to me like she has every single year for 25 years. And then, shortly after, my best friend in the entire world (whose 25th birthday was yesterday!!) called to do the same.  It could be the many,many texts i've gotten or the abundance of facebook posts.  I'd imagine that the tweets & instagram comments have something to do with it; or the anticipation of dinner and drinks with girlfriends tonight to celebrate.  But whatever it is, it's fabulous. 

I've been building 25 up to be huge.  Couldn't believe that it was quickly creeping up.  Still can't believe that I've finally reached it. I've been dreading this day for a long time.  Doesn't 25 sound so much older than 24?! But recently, after an extremely unfortunate and untimely passing of a great friend, I've come to realize that the old saying "Do not regret growing older.  It's a privilege denied to many" is oh so true. So this year I promise to love being 25. I am going to do everything that I have dreamt of doing (or at least try to!). I am going to laugh harder, smile more, cry less and enjoy every minute that I get to spend being 25.

Besides-  I have 1825 days until I am officially old. (that's thirty, for those of you not near a calculator).

Thanks to everyone who has already or will wish me Happy Birthday. 

 I appreciate it so much, and it has truly made my day.

Ps- you absolutely need to check out allgroanup.com. it is my newest obsession.  And I don't think that it was coincidence that I found it 2 hours before midnight last night.  Its already helping me with my quarter-life-crisis.