Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday....

I don't know if it is the super comfy maternity jeans and poncho sweater I am wearing, or the red cup from Starbucks I am drinking from and Christmas Pandora station playing in my office BUT I am in a GREAT mood today!

For my Five on Friday I am going to share some things I am loving:

1. I am loving these beauty advent calendars. I love advent calendars, I love beauty products, what could be better?!

Benefit's Countdown to Love

ciate's calendar is available at Sephora

 

2. S'more brownies. My dear sweet friend Megan sent me these for my birthday (she always sends me something wonderful for my birthday) and they are DELICIOUS! I may or may not have finished the pan already.

3. Southern Living Thanksgiving Edition. I was over at my old boss' house last Saturday and he had his edition of Southern Living out on the table and it had all the Thanksgiving recipes. The Salted Caramel Chocolate Pecan pie looks like a winner to me.

 

I am hosting Thanksgiving this year. My parents are coming from VA and my brother and sister in law are coming from FL. I will feed them, then put them to work painting the nursery and putting together baby furniture :)

4. It is getting COLD around here. And I have to have my fuzzy warm socks. My feet are always freezing. Target has cute cheap socks. I have a couple of pairs like this, but I usually end up stealing a pair of Kyle's extra thick wool socks.

5. And speaking of cold, my hands are always dry this time of year. I love Soap and Glory, Hand Food. Smells great, works great!

 

Birthday Wish List

I'm turning 29 this Saturday. I'm about to enter my last year "in my twenties." My age has never really bothered me and I am actually excited about getting closer to 30. I had a friend I used to work with that said when she turned 30 she took a whole new approach on life. She stopped caring about what others thought, and found satisfaction in her choices and what she wanted. I remembering her telling me this and thinking, man I want to turn 30 now! I hope with a new year comes new perspective, growth and happiness.
On a completely different note, I threw together a quick list of some items I want.

 

Michale Kors Large Selma handbag in pearl gray, on back order until December!



 

Target or Old Navy PJs. Gigi has a tendency to chase my pants. I don't know why. She has DESTROYED all my pajama bottoms and I need some new ones!

Duck Boots!

 

Camel Coat

 

 

Monogrammed necklace

 

Green Hunters

Welcome back!

I have not posted to my blog since November 30th. That is a long time. I had many many commitments and priorities much bigger than this blog during the month of December, including a two week vacay to see family.But I am going to share something, I am actually struggling over the blog. I feel in a blog rut. Lacking my own creativity and originality. And I was asking myself, why blog at all? I have also struggled with this blog content being all been about positive life things or shallow things. But I think the lack of posting happened because I don't want to lack authenticity. Sharing struggles is just as important as sharing celebrations. So I am going to recap the last month and a half in quick bullet points.

• End of November/ beginning of December I applied and interviewed for a new position at my current institution. The position was a promotion and a shift in responsibilities. I let myself get really excited about this new opportunity. And then, I didn't get the offer. I was upset and frustrated. The fall semester was really draining for me for some reason and I have no idea why. I just felt so tired from work and a little bored of some of the things I was doing. I thought the new opportunity would help pull me out of the funk, and then I didn't get it. I was feeling even more down in December after that.  

The part of my job I never stop loving... working with these wonderful ladies!

• But then my brother and sister in law got Kyle and I a joint birthday present: a nights stay plus meals at the Cheateau Elan resort in North Georgia. This break couldn't have come at a better time. We booked a couples message, enjoyed a wine tasting and great food. One of the best birthday present s ever.
• Kyle and I left mid- December to go stay with my family for a week and then his family for a week. I was really excited about being away from work and recharging my batteries. Highlights:
• Spending time with my parents, brother and sister in law
• Getting to spend some time with great friends
• Christmas traditions

Dad's homemade cinnamon buns, Christmas morning tradition.

New family photo!

• Gigi's wagon from my parents for Christmas

My dad pimpped Gigi's ride

• Gigi seeing snow for the first time
• Spending time with the in laws 
• Going to the Allentown Farmer's Market and eating a kiffel
• Quality time with our nieces

Peeps Festival

• After all the driving from our break (30+ hours) I returned to Athens still tired and not ready to go back to work. It was a short first week, but PACKED with a conference, training and then Saturday I was at state wide officer training for Zeta. I just felt like I wasn't ready to return. Then last Sunday I watched a Gilmore Girls marathon (I got the full box set as a Christmas gift for Kyle) and ate Chinese take out and magically it fixed everything. Well not everything, but returning to work Monday didn't feel as bad. I have established a routine this week and feel more like my self.

So excited to work with this amazing group of students!

• Finally, January will mark the one year mark of Kyle and I trying to start a family. Kate from The Small Things Blog posted yesterday her own struggle and when I read it I felt like she was speaking for me. I have had so much anger over this and I just need to let go. I know being angry or frustrated is definitely not helping the situation. And I need to stop thinking of it as "trying." My type A personality and control freak tendencies need to settle down. I don't know what the future holds, but letting go and not obsessing over this one aspect is freeing and that is how I want to move forward. 

So there is the recap. I know, it's a lot. But life has ups and downs and I feel like I should be able to share it all. So here is to REAL blogging in 2013!

The Husband's Birthday!

So it's been awhile.... life got crazy there for a second. After my birthday we moved straight into a visit from my in-laws and the husband's birthday! For birthday dinner we went to Agua Linda, look how happy the birthday boy is about his hat!

YAY for margaritas!

I got the husband the Steve Jobs' Biography, a new work shirt and some socks. But he was really thrilled about the tie clip my parents got him for his birthday.

While the in- laws were here we went to Atlanta to visit the mall (thank you again for the jeans and moccasins!) we also got to enjoy some of my mother in-laws wonderful cooking skills! My father in- law used my ticket for the Auburn game, and I think he and the husband had a great time at the game!

I got a wonderful fall centerpiece for the table.

I did a simmering pot, our apartment smells delicious!

While November has been so busy, I am THANKFUL of all of the time we get to spend with family and celebrating birthdays! Now if I can just make it through Thanksgiving and all the cooking on November 24th I will be a happy lady!

27... and fabulous!

Happy birthday to me!

I am one year older today, and I must say my 27 years have been GREAT!

Thanks to all my friends and family for the Facebook posts, text messages and emails! I truly felt the birthday love! Especially all my ZESTY text messages from the Zeta chapter I advise. My phone was blowing up and I loved it!

I woke up this morning and the husband gave me my first birthday present, a cookie scoop :) Then at lunch I got the tiered cooling rack I had been eyeing! (I think I see a theme developing!) Then he concluded the day with a homemade card (super precious) and a popcorn popper!!! 

One of my VERY best friends sent me these fabulous cupcakes, so thoughtful! Soule always makes sure I have cake on my bday :) one year she even got me a cake while she was in Vegas!

A package was delivered from Crate&Barrel, my parents completed our wedding registry (and thank goodness because I needed more plates to feed everyone at Thanksgiving!)

I got a wonderful e-card from one of the students I supervise. She wrote some very nice things about me and it just warmed my heart.

All in all I have had a wonderful birthday! Tomorrow night the husband is taking me out to dinner, CAN'T WAIT!

What I'm loving Wednesday...

What I'm Loving Wednesday.... it is almost NOVEMBER, which means it is almost my BIRTHDAY! I will be 27 (nothing too exciting about that number!) I'm hoping my husband will make me a cake like this.....

 I would love some new moccasins!

I would love some jewelry with my NEW monogram... MHD!



I also would LOVE to complete our registry items at C&B, and I have some baking stuff and Bed, Bath and Beyond I have been eyeing! The husband and I are exactly one week a part, his birthday is the 9th, so I will be frantically trying to find a good gift! He likes Carvel cakes so I don't get to bake him one... oh well. November is filled with birthdays and visits with family as well as EATING A LOT! Bring it on November! I can't wait!