Oh goodness, the weekend and a giveaway! *closed*

Oh what a weekend and a fun one at that, so with no delay a recap is on its way (why I rhymed I have no idea? I blame exhaustion):

Friday: Matt and I were both so exhausted from a long week that we had a pretty low key night. Went shopping for our Christmas sweaters and grabbed a quick bite to eat before coming home to decorate our little abode. Pretty much loveliness.

Saturday: Slept in for a wee bit before running all sorts of morning errands and getting my hair cut, woo (seriously I hadn't had a hair cut since April, ridiculous). Then I spent the rest of the afternoon getting ready for my Wrapped in Goodness Party!

And what is a Wrapped in Goodness party? Pretty much Lean Pockets provided me with all sorts of goodies to have some friends over and enjoy some of their new culinary creations (um, yum!). So I went to town and was so excited to use some of my new serving ware and Christmas stuff and set it all up for a fun little girl's night in.

oh how I love to host!

can you spot the Lean Pockets in my freezer?

haha, this is just ridiculous.

all five tasty flavors ready for us to try:

Chipotle Chicken, Chipotle Bacon Dijon,

Spinach Artichoke Chicken, Garlic Chicken White Pizza (my fave!)

and Grilled Chicken, Mushroom and Spinach.

some snuggies for the ladies.

One the girls got here we spent most of the night just hanging out, listening to Christmas music, watching Extreme Christmas Lights on mute and occasionally answering some hilarious questions provided by Lean Pockets. It was just the kind of night I needed since I've been in a weird friend funk lately and hanging with the girls just lovely.

Ev'Yan, Tara and my sister showing

off their snuggies.

mmmmm, tasty!

my sister already finished hers

and was enjoying some belini deliciousness.

All in all it was quite the fun night. We tried almost all of the Lean Pockets, enjoyed lots of belinis and cookies, and definitely had our mouths agape at the Christmas lights some people put on display (seriously, insanity!). And just yes, my kind of girls' night in indeed. Thank you ladies for a lovely evening.

not that you can tell, but that's Matt

back there showing off a snuggie of his own.

Also, check out other Wrapped in Goodness party pics and get some Lean news on their Facebook page, so check it out, and even like it you'd like (that sounds redundant but I figured I'd keep it).

Sunday: Oh Sunday, I slept in until 11, cleaned up the apartment a bit, caught up on some TV watching. Finally did some Xmas shopping with Matt for a bit before coming home and alternating between napping and movie watching the rest of the day. Basically my kind of way to end the weekend.

And now to the giveaway! Hurrah!

Congrats to Kateastrophe! Her Lean Pockets creation would be:
My lean pocket would SO not be lean. It would be filled with Brie and ham and bechemel sauce. So it would be more like a fat pocket? Hmmm sing THAT with the jingle! "Faaat Pockets!"

Big seller, I tell ya!

I would so buy it :)

Thanks to everyone that entered!

Lean Pockets has so graciously offered me the chance to offer one of my readers a YEAR SUPPLY of Lean Pockets! Seriously, a year's worth? That's a lot of Lean going on!

To enter tell me if you made your own culinary creation lean pocket, what would be in it?

For an extra entry, tweet about the giveaway and include my handle, @katelin, and the official @Lean_Pockets and leave in a separate comment.

and if you need a bit.ly of the giveaway: http://bit.ly/f1f8ZF

Giveaway ends next Wednesday, December 15th 4pm PST and I'll be picking a winner using randomizer, so everyone's got a chance!

Good luck and lean away!

happy monday!

*Lean Pockets provided me with the snuggies, coupons for free Lean Pockets to serve at my party as well as giveaway. They also gave me some schnazzy Visa gift cards to do some shopping and as a thank you. And all opinions of Lean Pockets are all my own because let's be honest I sort of love them anyways. Basically they rock my socks off.*

Chiliiiiii time.

First of all, thank you for the kind comments on yesterday's post. I know I'm not alone with how I feel but it was just nice to get it out for a bit.

Anyhoo moving on from some whining and what not, how about I show you what I cooked last night? No really, I actually cooked something. I'm even amazed myself.

To be honest, it's been a while since I've made anything that required a recipe and I had to buy ingredients. I also haven't properly christened any of my fun new appliances that we got for the wedding and by golly (let's bring that back okay?) I figured last night was the perfect night to try. So for my inaugural dish I decided on making a turkey chili (courtesy of the Tasty Kitchen from the Pioneer Woman) with our new slow cooker.

And you guys, it actually turned out good!! Seriously if you know me you know that the kitchen and I haven't always gotten along. I've burned pans, burned chicken while at the same time undercooking it as well as making ridiculous cupcakes that overflowed from the pan. Needless to say, I'm learning.

So back to last night, I got everything together:

all of my ingredients and even my recipe stand is set.

pan for browning the turkey and crock pot

are ready to go!

And then I got my onion goggles and apron on and I was ready to make some chili!

yes I am a huge nerd.

Matt was laughing behind the camera

at my ridiculousness.

Pretty much the whole chili making process took about thirty minutes and luckily Matt stepped in to help me a bit with browning the turkey and then it was ready to go.

and it's ready to simmer.

For the next two hours were spent drinking wine and watching Love Actually and the ASU/UofA game (and note Matt would like me to mention that ASU won in double overtime by blocking a kick, woo!) and just hanging outish. And before I knew it my chili was done!

And ta da, the final product:

mmmmmm.

It's a little wateryish I think but I'm hoping it thickens a bit after sitting. And I can't wait to have a full bowl for lunch today and have more than a few spoonfuls. But seriously after trying it, YES! KATELIN FOR THE COOKING WIN. It's good. Just don't ask Matt. He is not a chili fan and was not appealed by any of it. To him I say, pish posh, its delish!! Yay! Okay I'm done cheering, but YAY! Done.

So any cooking adventures for you lately? I mean really, yay cooking!

happy weekend!

Grown up friends.

Lately I've been feeling some of the downsides to grownupdom (I'm coining that one) despite all of the holiday cheer and fun that's been around me. So yes if you saw me day to day you probably would have no idea that anything is wrong, but really, it is. And there isn't a whole lot I can do about it except grin and bear it.

Something I've learned over the years is that once you leave college and the cushy life it becomes increasingly impossible to avoid changes both big and small, no matter how hard you try. And apparently I don't do well with change.

And what's changed you ask? Apparently everything (okay that sounds so melodramatic, I swear I'm not and it really isn't everything but still, you get it right?). Friends have moved, family has moved and every time they come home it's like we have to catch up on our lives in four hours not knowing when we'll all hang out again. And friends are busy, it happens. But apparently they're all busy at the same time. And again, I get it, but I miss them. We're all grown ups and have grown up things to do and grown up lives (friends are in grad school and med school and law school and working ridiculous hours and moving to different cities or just plain busy) and apparently all of that just makes me feel a little alone sometimes.

And at the same time I find myself wondering "do they miss me?" or "are they breaking up with our friendship?" because sometimes I feel like it is always me inviting them over, sending a hello email, writing on their facebook wall, inquiring into their lives. Yes I know, I know, it happens people truly are busy, but does being a grown up mean you can't stay friends? I really hope not, because I love my friends and I really just miss them. So friends, if you read this: I MISS YOU.

However, on the flip side to all of this "busy friends"/"Katelin's a whiner" thing, being a grown up still has its perks. I can buy whatever I want (err afford) at the grocery store, I can go out on a weeknight and not have to worry about homework or reporting to my parents when I'll be home, I can read for fun, I can throw parties without and RA or parent busting it up (yes I know there are cops but my parties rarely get that wild, minus that one time with Jell-O shots, but still, errr nevermind) and I can decorate our apartment any way I (er Matt has some say) want.

So yes, being a grown up is not a cake walk and it takes compromise and I'm ready to do it and face both the ups and the downs head on.

Tell me. Do you have a hard time seeing your friends and family too? Is it a grown up thing? Or a lame thing? Or a "stop whining Katelin" thing? And how the heck do you change it?

happy thursday!

Some Hollywood reactions.

So clearly I didn't post a Hollywood post yesterday (for shame!) and it's really because being gone most of a week makes it nearly impossible to stock up for a post and write all about it and just yeah, it wasn't easy. And then having so much to do Monday night made it impossible to write something, so yeah I apologize, I know you reallllly wanted your Hollywood scoop. And to make up for it, I'm taking a new approach at Hollywood today by simply sharing some of the biggest stories of the week and my reaction to them, because clearly that's what awesome people do (and ridiculous people). So, here we go:

The Garner/Affleck family out and about. Really not a story but rather just a excuse for me to share the cutest family in Hollywood (I mean seriously, it's hard to top their cuteness). And they're all together, doesn't that just make you say "awwwwwwwww"?

Ann Hathaway and James Franco are hosting the Oscars. UM. Excuse me? I mean I know Hugh was busy (seriously I could watch him host any time) but really, that's who you came up with? No offense to Ann or James but really? Really!? I get you want to target the younger crowd but why not Tina Fey or Neil Patrick Harris, they'd both be awesome and they're funny without really even trying. And what if James is nominated next year? That's just awkward. Anyways I guess I can't judge just yet, but hey Academy if you're looking for hosts for 2012 I'll totally try out for the job.

Spider Man the musical sells a million dollars in presale. Yes because when I first think of Spider Man I think MUSICAL! Don't get me wrong, I love a good musical but I really have no desire whatsoever to check out this production, maybe if it was Batman and Christian Bale was the lead, just maybe then.

Eclipse comes out on DVD Friday at midnight. First of all, YES. The Twinerd in me is way to excited to watch this movie again. But the old person in me is like "what the eff? why a midnight release of a DVD?? I am not fighting crazy tweens for my copy at Target."

Glee - Furt. I'm a week behind, but I sort of loved Sue. Her dress, standing up to her mom, protecting her sister, sort of standing up for Kurt. It was just a mushfest and I liked it (well most of it). But um Kurt leaving? Not so cool, not at all. What is that saying about bullying? Leave? Run away? Tell everyone what really happened Kurt! Please!? I mean yes it's hard and I get it (and I know this isn't real life) but you just can't leave.

Johnny Depp in Vanity Fair. Not much to share their either except his interview is pretty interesting since he's such a private person. Also, he's swoony in that "maybe he's dirty, maybe he's really tan, brooding, mysterious, crazy" sort of way.

And that my friend's is a bit of Hollywood with a dash of reflection, schnazzy pants. So anything else big I might have missed? Let me know!

happy wednesday!

A beachy beachy Thanksgiving.

Why hello there friends. Are you as stuffed and exhausted and as happy as I am? I spent the last five days relaxing, not relaxing, drinking, eating, laughing, playing and having all sorts of fun with my oh so large and ridiculously awesome family.

I would try and break down the week by the days but I gotta say it's just a blur of fun and craziness and yeah. So instead I'll give a snippet of what the week looked like: big hugs and laughs and hello family, first sunset (gorgeous!), potluck dinner, lots of wine, Smart Ass, reading, relaxing, puzzle playing, afternoon drinks, Thanksgiving!, more reading, margaritas on the beach, polenta night!, more wine, more fun, family photos, mini golf tournament, last night dinner, turkey contest, awards, drinks, trivial pursuit and lots and lots of love.

So shall we get to some of the pictures:

the first sunset, I could look at this every day.

oh a delicious Thanksgiving meal indeed.

the first generation.

nothing like an afternoon at the beach

with my cousins and margaritas.

Kurt showing off some moves.

Matt and I getting some air time.

Kourtney, Julie and Jason did it a

little bit better.

Matt and I at sunset.

look familiarish?

it's the same place my header pic was taken.

see, I told you my family was big!

Steve cooking up some risotto, yummm!

Matt grilling some sausages.

My dad, Matt, Kyle and Dave,

the winning golf team.

some of the turkey submissions

(mine was the bride and groom at the top,

ridiculous I know, haha, but I got a bonus prize!)

seriously we've got some cute kids in the fam.

adorable right?

Man looking back at these pics I feel drunk, full and happy all over again. I love my family and I love being able to spend so much time with them even if it was freezing (freezing as in like 50s, I'm from SoCal give me a break people, it was chillly!). All in all it was a great time and I can't wait to do it again.

And how was your Thanksgiving weekend??

happy monday!

Things that are loverly.

• Celebrating Thanksgiving with Matt as a married couple (No I am not over this fact yet).

• Going to the beach in November even if it is a high of 56 all week, being near the water is glorious.
• Everything in Oh Hello Friend's etsy store, seriously WANT.
• Spending the holiday with a ridiculous amount of family members and enjoying it all.
• Not working or being on a computer for the rest of this week.
• Wearing scarves (yes I am obsessed).
• Apple cider scented candles (also, obsessed).
• Bloggers that are friends and friends that are friends and just friends all around, you really are the absolute best.
• Celebrating my little brother's 15 birthday today and my sister's 23rd birthday tomorrow, YAY BIRTHDAYS!
• Turquoise rings that are fierce.
• The Pioneer Woman's creamy mashed potatoes. I have been salivating over these since the Throwdown and cannot wait for potatoes tomorrow.

What's loverly for you this week?

Hope you all have a most loverly and wonderous Thanksgiving wherever you are and whoever you spend it with, I am thankful for all of my freaders and friends and family alike, you all rock my socks off and I hope you know it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hollywood goes bezerk.

So of course I take a week off of Hollywood and then it goes bezerk, like seriously so many big stories I don't even know if this blog can handle it. Well it won't hurt to give it a try, so here we go:

• Starting off this week's adorableness we have the oh so cute Hannigan-Denisof family and seriously they make me smile and they should totally have a play date with Violet and Seraphina, I mean how cute would that be!?
  
  
  
  so darn cute and smiley I love it!
  
  
  
• Also looking oh so freaking adorable is baby Hank hanging on to mama Kendra. Seriously that boy is just so darn cute I almost can't handle it.
  
  
  
  oh he is just presh.
  
  
  
• In other bebe news one of my favorites, P!nk, is going to be a mama! I sort of have a girl crush on her and can't wait to see her and Carey as parents...also joining the new mama club, Rachel Zoe, I don't care too much about that one since I don't watch her show or really even know who she is, but congrats nonetheless...in not so fun news, Eva Longoria and Tony Parker are splitting after only three years of marriage and apparently it's because he had an "affair" with a teammates wife? Um what? Seriously what is with some people??....However in oh so exciting news and opposite of divorce was the announcement that Prince William is ENGAGED to Kate Middleton. I mean yes, a royal wedding is coming and how freaking awesome is that? And um hey royal family I am totally free next Spring and I LOVE weddings and I'm basically a pro so you can just add me to that list okay? Sweet...Oh and Jessica Simpson is conveniently engaged too, hurrah (sarcasm)...but really back to William and Kate, I mean seriously, how cute are they?!? And Diana's ring? And her dress? Yeah they're pretty damn adorable.
  
  
  
  I sort of want her dress and hey the ring
  would be a nice addition too, haha.
  
  
  
• In some favorites news...
  Ryan Reynolds is People's sexiest man of the year. After seeing that man in person once I can't really debate that choice and I'm just glad it's someone new. So yay Ryan and Scarlett you are a lucky biotch.
  
  
  
  why hello there Mr. Reynolds.
  
  
  NKOTB is totally back. I mean yeah I'll forever be a fan, I can't help it. And the NKOTB and BSB performance at the AMA's sort of makes my heart happy.
  
  
  
  hangin' tough!
  or more like Step by Step oooooh baby.
  
  
  
• And in today's Twilight news...
  So apparently on their honeymoon in Breaking Dawn Bella and Edward jump in waterfalls? Clearly it's been too long since I've read the books but that's the scene Rob and Kristen have been filming and just year, cute? I don't know.
  
  In other Twilight news and not involving a Jonas Brothers, I might have a girl crush on Ashley Greene. Seriously how does she always look so damn pretty? But I do adore her and just want her to be Alice anyways, so yeah here's Ashley at a Mark event.
  
  
  
  seriously, so pretty.
  
  
  
• In movie news...
  Harry Potter. No I haven't seen the new movie yet, but I really can't wait to whenever I get a chance. And to celebrate this is hands down my favorite video of the cast learning to speak American, "the freedom language", haha. Seriously even if you're not an HP fan, check it out.
  
  We Bought a Zoo. I recently read this memoir about a family that takes over a rundown zoo and the movie adaptation recently announced it's casting and it's some pretty great names so far. This movie has potential to pretty interesting.
  
  Disney announced that they won't be making any more fairy tale movies. I don't really know how I feel about this only because I can't think of any fairy tales they haven't done but at the same time it's sad they won't make any more cartoons based on the classics.
  
  
• In some music news...
  Girl Talk. Listen and enjoy. That is all.
  
  
• In some TV news...
  Glee. I can't get the "Umbrella/Singing in the Rain" mashup out of my head! So damn catchy and I don't even like "Umbrella"! Also, TOTS! Don't know why but that had me cracking up. Also, what the heck was Mr. Shue's "dream" with him and Mike? That seriously made no sense to the whole episode.
  
  Top Model. And we're down to TWO. And not the two I would have picked. *SPOILER* I was seriously rooting for Kayla and I'm bummed she didn't make the final cut and Jane was eh but I was a fan. However Jane and Ann's drunken night was all sorts of entertaining. Anyways I can't wait to see Ann on the catwalk because holy hell will that be a show, haha. And a full fabulous recap here as usual.
  
  Medium. I'm pretty sure I'm one of the only people under 40 that loves this show so I'm not surprised it got the boot after seven seasons but I am sad. The DuBois family is one of the best and most realistic (minus Allison's ridiculous amount of pajamas and her mediumness) families on TV and I'll be sad to see them go.
  The Big Bang Theory. Frickity Frack! I mean yes Sheldon needs to be real and be my friend. However he has some new regular friends of his own, the newest ladies of the show have been promoted to regulars (woo Bridgette and Amy!).
  
  Grey's Anatomy. Dear Shonda, I want Cristina Yang back. Love, Katelin.
  
  And for the TV lovers like myself check out this awesome video of some of the best catch phrases in TV history.
  
  
• Lastly in today's WTF news the effing Duggars keep reproducing and it needs to be stopped. The oldest Duggar kid (who is married and has a one year old and is ONLY TWENTY TWO) announced that he and his wife are expecting a second child. Seriously are they trying to take over the world?!?! And running in close second to the crazies is another family that has EIGHTEEN KIDS (and none of them are twins!). STOP IT PEOPLE, STOP IT.
  

So anything I missed this week? Let me know!



happy tuesday!

Quite a "Heart"y weekend.

Oh a weekend that was productive, I almost forgot what that was like. I swear I've been sick forever and finally not being confined to the couch was definitely a good thing.

Friday: After work I headed to my father-in-law (god that is still weird to write)'s house to meet up with Matt and our friend Danny and his girlfriend Amanda. After a bit we headed on over to Gus's for dinner and ohmyfreakinggoodness it was delicious. I had a pulled pork tostada and I've decided I could eat that every day and with a sangria on the side, heaven! Pretty much it was a fun night hanging with friends and family and a perfect way to celebrate the end of the week.

Saturday: Despite the morning rain Matt and I had quite the "married day" as I called it and did all sorts of productive things. I bought birthday presents (my sister and brother both have birthdays this week), picked up a library book, printed pictures (yay!) and got some new pajama pants from Victoria's Secret that I pretty much want to live in (I am not even kidding these pants are heavenly!). After shopping I relaxed a bit at home, watched some TV, napped while Matt went to watch some college football. Eventually we were social together and went to Dave and Buster's to celebrate my sister's birthday. That place is pretty ridiculous, fun and tasty food and delicious drinks. All in all it was a fun night of playing games and birthdayness, woo.

Sunday: Relaxed at home for a bit before heading over to the W Hotel in Hollywood with my sister for a day about heart health awareness sponsored by my lovely friends at Nintendo. The afternoon was pretty fun, my fried Megan came as well and Jenn was there and we all played some Wii games and had some tasty snacks. Eventually we had lunch and listened to a panel that shared some facts with us and answered questions, it was actually pretty fascinating. After the panel we played some more Wii, had some delicious fruit and hung out a bit before heading on home.

The rest of the night was spent hanging out before heading to my parent's house for dinner. After dinner was a little birthday shindig for my brother and sister with the family. It's always a good time when my family gets together and Sunday was no different with cake and cider and laughs and ridiculous teenagers.

can't you see the family resemblance, haha?

It was nice to spend some time with the fam and relax and eat sugary foods and just yes.

And that my friends is what I call a productive and loverly kind of weekend, the perfect kind in my mind.

And how was your weekend? Anything fun and wonderful? Staying warm?

happy monday!

Fridays are for...

• not being sick (or at least telling myself that).
• bullet points and pointless posts because I can.
• saying "ohmygod it's almost December and then it'll be 2011 and just stop because ohmygod what?"
• deleting "friends" on Facebook that I have to say "wait, who is that again?" and not feeling bad about it.
• a song that makes me want to have a party, like now.
• wine, lots of wine.
• a picture that will always make me smile*
  
  
  

So what are your Fridays for?

happy weekend!

*I mean yeah I'm obsessed with my wedding photos and any reason to share one is good enough for me so I hope you don't mind and don't think I'm crazy and if you do just say so or don't either way is okay.

Minnie Muse, Minnie Muse!

So despite still being sickish (still, I know right? This is getting ridiculous) I moseyed on over to Hollywood Tuesday night for a fabulous little shindig that I just have to blog about (I mean I'm a blogger, that's what I do).

I was invited as media (doesn't that sound fancy?? also I'm becoming a fan of the parenthesis as if you couldn't tell) to the Minnie Muse launch event at the Forever 21 store at Hollywood and Highland and I was more than excited to go.

I invited my friend Cameron to come with me because she is one of the biggest Disney fans that I know and she's new to LA so I figured what better way to celebrate than with an event that was Disneycentric?

me and Cameron with one of

the Minnie displays.

The whole purpose of the event was to promote a new line of Minnie Mouse inspired clothing coming to Forever 21 stores this week and I gotta say, I'm sold. All of the clothes (okay most) were so darn cute and I definitely had to buy my own Minnie inspired cardigan. Besides the adorable clothing the party itself was just so cute. There were models wearing the Minnie clothes, freaking fantastic desserts, a candy bar, a soda bar, random reality star celebs (Stephanie Pratt, Miss J, Vanessa Simmons, some Disney girls, and a real housewife), good music and just an all around good time.

And back to that reality star bit, MISS J was there. As in the best person on Top Model (sorry Tyra, I love you and your crazies but Miss J has my ANTM heart) J. Alexander was moseying around the VIP area and did try to make his way to the main floor but was immediately swamped with fans (I mean of course, he's awesome!). But I was admittedly most excited to see him and his awesomeness there, I just wanted him to walk a fake runway.

Miss J and Vanessa Simmons

I sort of heart them both.

*pic from Getty and more official pics here*

Anyhoo here are some more iphonearific (I may coin that) pics from the evening:

the oh so delicious cake balls from

The Sweet Truck, yummm!

some of the adorable Minnie clothes.

the window display, adorable.

As media I was fortunate enough to receive a lovely gift bag and ohmygod I'm in love. On top of the Minnie cardigan I bought, the gift bag had three freaking adorable shirts and two Minnie notebooks and seriously I'm in love.

"modeling" my new cardigan and Minnie ears,

courtesy of the fabulous Tara (the hostess of the evening).

the three shirts from my gift bag,

LOVE THEM.

All in all it was a loverly night all around and I'm so glad my sickness didn't get the best of me.

To get in on the Minnie Muse action visit Forever 21's site.

happy thursday!

*Redlight PR invited me to this event and I wasn't compensated in any way and wasn't asked to blog about this but clearly I was all over going because hellooo it's awesome and schnazzy and I wanted to write about it and the gift bag was just a lovely thank you, okay FTC? we're friends right?*

For the almost brides.

So I know it's Tuesday and it should be a Hollywood day but after being sick for a week there was just too much Hollywood for me to catch up on and share and yeah. But I did see that Jessica Simpson is engaged and what? And what? I'm baffled. But then again it had me thinking about weddingness again (and really have I ever stopped?).

Can you believe I've been married almost three* months?! THREE WHOLE MONTHS!? I mean yeah not that long but then again it feels like my wedding was yesterday. Anyways, I still find myself watching Say Yes to the Dress and Four Weddings and all sorts of wedding shows (basically TLC takes over my life when I'm bored) and loving them all. And not that I'm a wedding expert of any kind but I feel like there are just some things an almost bride or a one day bride needs to hear and I feel like sharing them, so here we go:

• Don't be afraid to fall in love with the first wedding dress you try on. It happens and it's okay. If you love a dress, you love it and that's what matters the most.

• Take a picture of your dress once you buy it! I can not emphasize this one enough. I was so glad my sister took a picture of me in my dress because I constantly found myself telling people the wrong details and would have to go look at the picture to remind myself. It happens, you forget what your dress looks like, so PLEASE TAKE A PICTURE and save yourself the drama when you go and get it later.

• It's okay to rely on other people. I mean you won't survive otherwise. But at the same time, make sure you're relying on the right people and not that friend that's flaky that you hope will change.

• You don't have to wear heels. I mean yes some girls enjoy heels so it's no big deal, but don't feel like you haaaave to wear them. I wore sandals the entire day and I could not have been happier.

• You'll become privy to both the best and the worst sides of some of your closest friends and family. Some friends will flake on you, some will be there whenever you need their opinion and some family member will wig out over something small while someone else will step in in a big way. Just be prepared, because that is something you can never predict.

• Don't forget about your groom. I mean not all groom's are as hands on as Matt was and not all of them want to be, but don't forget to ask for their opinion when it counts.

• It's okay to cry when you look at your wedding pics or the video, even if you didn't cry the day of. I am guilty of both. I miss my wedding, like a lot.

love our crazy party.

So what would you add?

happy tuesday!

*update, I've almost been married three months not two. Clearly this sickness is affecting my ability to count, haha.

Tales of a sickie.

Usually on Mondays I do my weekend recaps. And usually my weekends are something to talk about. But not this past weekend. This past weekend was spent being sick and that's just lame.

I mean really I stayed home Friday from work and my day went something like this, bed to the couch, watch some movies, do some work, fall asleep, work some more, watch some more movies, have some more soup, sleep.

And Saturday? Oh Saturday was exciting! I slept in super late, made my way to the couch, relaxed, watched some more movies, slept some more, had some more soup (seriously our sink looked ridiculous full of bowls), relaxed some more, Matt brought me some Panera and we hung out and then I called it a night at nine. NINE FREAKING OH CLOCK. I hate you sickness, I hate you.

Sunday? Yeah not much better. I actually got dressed after I showered and watched the SVU marathon before sleeping on the couch some more. Eventually left to be social with some fam and Matt for a bit before calling it another early night.

I mean really, I single handedly kept Kleenex and Campbell's and Ricola and Dayquil in business this past week and I'm just sick of it.

So yeah not a whole lot to share in this post but rather to just whine that I need to not be sick any more because I want to do thing you know? And be social? And not go to bed at nine? And not sneeze a bagillion million times a day?

And to top it off, I'm pretty sure I got Matt sick too. Oh the joys of cohabitation, ricocheting sickness, oy vey.

So let's just pray this goes away soon because I'm just no fun and no good at being sick. Send the healthy vibes people, send away!

And how was your weekend? Do tell because I am so behind on my blog reading I'd really like to know, and I hope it's good and not sick ridden.

happy non-sick monday!

To my dad, to the Veterans.

Looking back in my archives I realized that I've never really paid much attention to veteran's day on the blog, which is ridiculous and surprising to say the least. Then again I don't always dive into the serious stuff here but today, today I feel like it, so here we go.

My dad is a veteran.

My dad went to the Gulf War.

If you're friends with me in real life chances are you already know this since anyone that knows me and has met my dad pretty much learns this fact within five minutes of meeting him. My dad has a Veteran sticker on his car, drives an old army jeep around town and most days can be seen wearing some form of fatigues (although I admit, his wardrobe has expanded to non-army wear lately as well, a big improvement, haha).

My dad is full of stories from his time in the army, in the Gulf and I've probably heard all of them, but I always block them out. I was in first grade when my dad left for war and you'd think being that young I wouldn't register anything? But no, I registered it all and remembered it all. My dad missed my birthday, my dad was in harm's way, a place where my dad had been stationed was bombed, I definitely got it and it was scary.

Luckily my dad was only gone a few months and luckily he came home. Not every family is so lucky, I know this and I cherish this. My family was one of the lucky ones. And I admit, sometimes I forget that and take it for granted when my dad shares war stories when really I should just be grateful that he's here to share them at all.

So to my dad, my cousins, my friends and everyone else that is serving or has served our country, today and every day is for you and I thank you.



happy thursday!