my perfect life: in kate spade jewelry.

i have a new obsession. which isnt out of the ordinary for me, because when i find something i like i usually fixate on it until everyone in my life is so tired of hearing about it that they threaten me at even the thought of another mention.  songs, i play them until i know every word to every verse and can sing it without the music.  a good top/dress/pair of jeans, i wear them until they have holes. and even then ill probably keep wearing them if the hole isnt too noticeable. pepperjack cheez its, i have my own personal inventory of them at any given moment in my kitchen cabinet, work desk and car.

my new obsession is Kate Spade.  I havent even given Kate Spade a thought since the boxy striped purses that were a fad in the 9th and 10th grade. but yesterday i stumbled across (from this blog) the most beautiful bracelets.  after about 7 visits to the website i found the necklaces, earrings, rings and purses. im in heaven. and also i realized that my perfect life can all be told in kate spade jewelry.  see below:

just started dating someone-- they buy me a "sparks fly" bracelet.

my birthday comes a long and i receive the "This Is the Year" idiom bracelet. i dont care who its from, it will be perfect no matter what.

he wont tell me he loves me, hell show me by getting me this "be mine" ring

When he proposes, he'll do so by giving me the "say yes Mrs" earrings. and a diamond, of course. i will obviously say yes.

the "i do" necklace will be PERFECT for our engagement pictures.

I'll buy all of my bridesmaids this idiom bangle. just to say thanks, and help them to look fabulous on my big day.

on my wedding day, i'll wear the "Putting On The Ritz" idiom bracelet. obviously.

he'll give me a gift, inside will be the "bon voyage" necklace and a card saying our honeymoon will be in Tahiti.

our first anniversary?  the "hand in hand" bracelet will make the perfect gift.

for his 1st anniversary gift, i'll buy him a boat. and me these "All Aboard" earrings.

i've had our first baby, and my push present? a "Flying Colors" idiom bangle. to let me know how great i did. that and and exact replica of Rachel Zoe's bagillion carat ring.

by now i've had our first 2 children,  the "Supercalifragilipstick" necklace will reassure me that i am still a hot mom!

what's that?! we're going to Rome on vacation?

my kids will buy me the "creme de la creme" idiom bangle for Mother's Day. to let me know that i am the best mom ever.

and when we are "empty nesters" and our kids are all out of the house, my husband will buy me a baby grand piano and the "Tickle the Ivories" bangle. because i'll need a new hobby to keep my mind off of missing our now-grown-babies.

my 50th birthday will come around, and i'll get the "smoke and mirrors" bangle. because even though i'm 50, my husband will tell me i dont look a day over 25. it must be magic.

i really, really, reallllly want all of this to happen. that being said, i know that chances are, it probably wont. so i purchased this one for myself last night:

the "Solid Gold" bangle.

because i'm obsessed.

Gentlemen, Gosling, Google.

Gentlemen, gosling and google. What do these three things have in common? My weekend.

Friday night I went on a date (yes, you read that correctly. Pick your jaws up off the floor now). a legitimate date. Now anyone who knows me knows that I don't date. I hyperventilate at the thought of awkward silences, forced conversation, and pretending to be on my best behavior. Even imagining having to sit across from someone I barely know for hours on end trading pointless questions back and forth and "getting to know each other" makes me want to vom. Lit er all y. I dont care what kind of music you like, i actually couldnt care less. So I don't do it. I avoid dating at all costs. I am completely unapproachable at bars, I stand around with my arms crossed and don't make eye contact with anyone who may show the slightest bit of interest. And I wonder why I'm still single?

Funny story that my mom reminded me of. When I was about 15 I liked a boy I went to school with soooo much. Like I died for him. We talked for hours on end every night on the phone and I thought I'd never like someone more. He was 19 and after A lot of convincing, my mom finally accepted the fact that he was older and I was old enough to date. He came over to hang out for the first time (outside of school of course) and asked me to go get ice cream. I went inside to ask my mom and when she said I could go, I FLIPPED. Full on anxiety attack. I begged my mom to say no, and explained to her that I could talk to him all the time on the phone but having to sit in the car with him and sit at an ice cream place with him would be SO awkward. I was also convinced that at 19 he was going to be ready to get serious and settle down, and i was just not ready for that. She made me go.

10 years later, I feel the exact same way about dating. I begged my mom to tell me I couldn't go on this date Friday, and just like 10 years ago she made me go.

So I went out with a guy. Don't get me wrong, there was much hesitation and plenty of excuses being thought up in my head, but for some reason a weird 5 hour stomach virus didn't seem very believable. But against my better judgement I allowed this guy to make dinner reservations, bring me to dinner and then to drinks after. I let him open all of the doors for me and pick me up at my house. I carried on conversations with someone I don't know, and it wasn't in the least bit awkward. He was a complete gentlemen and it didn't freak me out in the least. Or maybe he was a total inappropriate jerk, I wouldn't remember because I drank entirely too much wine. Note to self: on date 2.5 (lunch on tuesday was the .5) don't drink as much. Yes, there is a date 2.5 already. Super Bowl Sunday is as good as any for a date, right?

My Saturday? Spent shopping. Why? Because i like to reward myself for doing things out of my comfort zone, ie dates. Pavlov's dog? Yes. I scored some great deals and added tops, statement necklaces, running shoes and a great vintage shirt to my wardrobe. My Saturday night? Spent watching a Gosling marathon. Because there are very few things in this world that I love more than Ryan Gosling. Drive, Crazy Stupid Love and of course, the Notebook. Perfect Saturday night.

Also, I googled myself. Just out of pure boredom. I came across my old MySpace page, which I want to delete now (because it's completely irrelevant in the social networking world). First problem is you have to be able to log in to delete your account. I don't remember my password so when I tried to reset it, they emailed me instructions. Second problem is I don't have that email address anymore. So I guess my MySpace page will forever be in cyberspace for people to see. There is nothing more embarrassing than a MySpace page last updated in 2006.

Ok, maybe getting so drunk on date 1.5 that i don't remember the last half of the conversation and then vomitting up all of the wine I guzzled is a little more embarrassing than my MySpace page.

So cheers to the one man I would have no problem going on dates with. Mostly because there would be no need for conversation, our lips would be too busy for pointless questions about favorite music genre.

Les bon temps rouler

It comes as no surprise to anyone who knows me, that I'm obsessed with Mardi Gras. I love the colors, the beads, the floats, the costumes, the creepy old men asking for cheek kisses in exchange for paper flowers, the millions of boobs being flashed and of course the king cakes. for the past 2 years, I have brought along some SC friends to show them what it's all about. We make no plans, have no hotel and usually no set date on when we are coming back. We make the 11 hour drive from SC to Nola (with a stop by my best friend since 9th grades house, of course!) and stay up for an average of 3 nights. Mind you, this takes copious amounts of adderall and alcohol. We camp out on the bourbon street bars until our feet turn gangrene (literally one year), our necks hurt from so many beads, and out livers go in to shock. It's the best 3-4 days of my life every year.

Growing up in Mississippi, I am no stranger to phenom Cajun food. In fact, I'd say that Cajun is my favorite type.... Crawfish and gumbo mmmm mmmmmm!! But my favorite food of the Gulf coast region? King cake. I found a bakery in Atlanta who makes them ( here's a hint: don't trust someone whose not from new orleans or MS to make it); I found a bakery in Gulfport who will ship them ($20 for the cake, $20 for shipping....NOT!); I found a recipe for them (i don't even know what yeast looks like, hence the name of my blog)... So I did the next best thing: made a makeshift king cake!! It will hold me over until I get to the coast in a few weeks! Here's the recipe:

2 packages of pilsbury cinnamon rolls, with cream cheese icing.
Any sort of filling you may want (seedless strawberry jam is my favorite and works great!)
1 can of cream cheese icing (bc I like a lot)
Green, yellow and purple sprinkles.
A plastic baby (if you can find one, I was fortunate enough to drive to 3 different stores looking to no avail)

Open the cinnamon rolls, smush (technical term, I know) them together together in a big ball and roll them out flat. I used a rolling pin (which I'm surprised I even own) to make it really thin.

If you want to put a filling in there, use a spoon and smear it all over the flattened cinnamon rolls.. This is also when you'd put a baby in there if you have one.

Then roll it up hotdog style (bringing this back to 3rd grade)

Form it into a circle on a greased cookie sheet

Bake on 350 until golden but not burnt (I'd estimate that I used about 40 minutes...i don't know the exact amount, bc I didn't keep track. In other words, I'm a genius)

Let cool only a little, you want it to be warmish hot for the icing. Spread as much (or little for you weirdos) of the cream cheese icing as you'd like. Then cover with the yellow, purple and green sprinkles. In true king cake fashion, you should alternate colors.

And then enjoy!! For those of you Debbie downers, yes..I do realize that this is a cinnamon roll with sprinkles, but it makes me very happy to look at a king cake in my kitchen and reminds me of home. And until I can get my butt to the coast, this will have to do.

DISCLAIMER: THE HIDEOUS GEORGIA BULLDOG CANISTERS ARE MY ROOMMATES. IF I OWNED CANISTERS, THEY'D MOST DEFINITELY BE GAMECOCKS!

blessed.

I spent my weekend in charleston hanging out with a group of army men about to deploy. I grew up in a military family, and have always had respect for people who choose to serve their country like that; but as I've gotten to know the group of guys better I've gained more respect than I could imagine. These guys are leaving their families (wives, children, parents, girlfriends, fiances, etc) for months and months on end, and all for our freedom. Last June I went to this unit's Yellow Ribbon ceremony, and this weekend I had the privilege of attending their Farewell ceremony. I love going to these, mostly because it makes Charles uncomfortable, but also because it allows me to show my respect for the soldiers. I'm so blessed to know so many really honorable men that have chosen this lifestyle, and will be forever grateful for their service. I'm counting down the days until my best friend is back and I am able to talk to him all the time. Until then, FaceTime will have to do (no matter how much he hates it).



*thats Charles, the furthest to the right.*





 *a picture hanging on the wall at the armory*

 Other charleston happenings: bike rides downtown, walks through the charleston city marina, great food at Taco Boy where I ran in to the lovely Megan at Style Me Swanky (always a pleasure), carafes of mimosas at Triangle for brunch, and hours upon hours of playing fruit ninja with Charles in our hotel. Because we are lame gamers. If you haven't played this game yet, do yourself a favor and don't download it. You will get nothing done if you do.

I've realized another great blessing this weekend. I have a strong, healthy mom. not everyone is that fortunate. One of my oldest/closest friends from Mississippi lost her mom this past Saturday. And while I came very close to losing mine, i never had to actually face that tragedy. My mom conquered cancer, thank God. And while I know my friends mom fought her hardest, she was not as lucky in her battle. I am devastated for B, because at 24 there is still so much you need your mom for. Years ago, I spent a long time cursing God for giving my mom cancer; last night I spent a long time thanking him for allowing her to beat it. I'll never take for granted her life or health again.

God has truly blessed my life with great people. Sometimes I forget to thank him for all that he's given me, not tonight. Tonight I will express an immense amount of gratitude; for a great mom and a hero for a best friend. No matter how many ugly girls I've known him to hookup with.



reunion.

Things that I learned this past weekend, at BT's wedding:

*I don't ever want to go that long without seeing some of my best friends again.
*be sure your hotel doesn't grant the previous guest in your room a late check out, when you've requested an early check in.
*keep tabs on your brand new iPad charger, at all times.
*keep having your hair dresser as your best friend. It makes for fabulous 'dos and even better eyebrows.
*scream as loud as you can when reunited with everyone in the hallway. Even when in leggings & a bra.
*don't be late to a wedding, you will get yelled at by the director and the preacher (j,c,a,a).
*Brittany Tinder Webster is who they modeled Bridal Barbie after. Absolutely breath taking.
*get wedding ideas off of pinterest.
*drink as much as you want, but don't slap Courtney....
*(in reference to the above) if you do slap Courtney on the arm, be prepared to be tackled on the dance floor. Numerous times.
*stand your ground against 60 year old women yelling at you at the bar.
*when you wake up the next morning, and go knocking on doors of the other girls' hotel rooms, be prepared for what you may find.
*dine and dash at the hotel breakfast...they'll never know, and it's expensive
*plan anther reunion as soon as possible, bc you'll never have as much fun as you do with these girls.

<3.

superstitious

i wish i were one of those "Friday the 13th is my favorite day" kind of people... but i am not.  Today has been one helluva day for the following reasons :

• i woke up late
• the heater in my house has gone out and it was 49 degrees
• my hair would NOT do right
• i had to finish packing up for my trip this weekend
• i felt ungodly nauseous
• drove all the way to work feeling nauseous
• was so nauseous i couldnt eat breakfast
• my nausea got the best of me at work (vom!)
• when i finally got my appetite back, i had someone pick up chick-fil-a for me and the retards in the drive thru gave me a spicy biscuit instead of regular :(
• it has been retarded busy (but obviously not busy enough for me not to blog)
• had to drive my coworker to the doctor on my lunch break because she fell and bruised/strained/pulled some sort of muscle/rib/back
• now i have to drive 4 hours to Columbia, SC.

on a good note, i get to see all of my best friends at Brittney's wedding this weekend :) can.not.wait.

i know there will be tons of champagne, tequila, wine, beer and shots involved. i know that there are sure to be a million laughs over all of our millions of inside jokes.  im positive there will be screams involved.  there will also be tears, of joy (seeing BT walk down the aisle) and sadness (leaving everyone again).  we will make plans to have more frequent reunions (most of which will fall thru, though i wish they wouldnt) and we will stay up all hours of the night. just like old times.

i cant wait to catch up with all of my favorite people from college.  while everyone i know is getting married, this is the first wedding where everyone i want to see is invited. and im ecstatic over it.  updates/pictures to follow, that im also sure of.

see ya never.

2011 was a monumental year, to say the least.

 some great times:

* driving around all of metro atlanta (and then some) scooping up friends from rando's houses on New Years Day

* Mardi Gras 2k11, one of the best times with 2 of the best friends.  And i didnt get anything stolen this year (besides my dignity of course)

*Carolina Cup, adult style.  at least pretend-adult style. 

*The night following Carolina Cup.  Picture this: hotel room; Caroline, Katie and me; up until 5 am watching "strange sex" on TLC.

*met some of the best people in atlanta.  while ive always loved this city, i love it even more now that i have great friends.

*Jess' wedding.  one of the most gorgeous weddings ive been to, with even better looking  friends.  always thankful for my friends getting married so i have an excuse to reunite with the girls. and drink an abundance of champagne and tequila.

*a new house, that i love. a new roommate, who i love more than the house. and my roommates family that i love even more than the roommate and the house combined.

*Hawaii.  spending 7 days with my dad, step mom and little brother in paradise. 

*Charleston to visit my best friend for his deployment briefing. 

*turning 24.  a very significant birthday.  and i needed it oh so badly.

Some not so great times:

*a puppy chewing up my brand new Louis Vuitton (17 days old to be exact). and having to wait 5 weeks for it to be repaired.

*$800 stolen from my checking account via paypal

*a ticket for getting in the left turn lane before it was technically a turn lane. bastard cop.

*missing my older brother while vacationing in paradise

*a few too many drunken embarrassing moments.

*a few too many hangovers.

*a long, long. longgg (in a bad way) summer.

Surprisingly, i am grateful for every one of these moments, and the ones that werent significant enough to list. 

for 2012 i hope for:

*driving around Metro Atlanta (and then some) picking up friends from rando's houses on New Years Day (it makes for good stories)

*another wedding, another reunion with my college girlfriends.  always a blast when theyre around.

*Mardi Gras 2k12. hopefully with even more friends this year

*a trip to Vegas for my 25th birthday

*a trip to abroad. because while Hawaii is nice, Europe is fabulous.

*a trip to California to watch my cousin get married.

*a larger number in my savings account (new years resolutions, maybe?)

*a small number on the scale (another potential resolution)

*take a lot of pictures

*more time spent on myself

*more time spent on others who need it

*more time spent with God

HAPPY NEW YEAR.