Farewell 2010

Compared to 2009, one could say 2010 was a little dull. We didn't buy a new house, we didn't get married, etc. We did however get Lincoln, and life is never dull with that guy. And we did settle into our home, our marriage, celebrated our first anniversary, and hosted our first holiday. We took a bunch of trips and saw many of our friends get married. And I have to say, it's been wonderful.

So goodbye 2010, the ups and downs, the good and the bad. It's been fun. And now... a look back.

Mexico City, January

Lincoln's homecoming, January

Jarrett's 29th birthday

Our anniversary, August

Nicole's Wedding, September

Merry Christmas

I know, i am such a slacker lately. Per usual, December becomes a month where I just lose track of time. With the holidays and shopping and end of year/quarter at work...it gets very busy for this gal.

We had a simply WONDERFUL Christmas. Jarrett's dad came to visit the weekend before, then his sister and mom came for a few days before and after. We ran around, saw both sides of my family, and got to share my traditions with the Britt's as well as create our own. We (and really I mean Jarrett mostly) pulled off a successful meal with WAY too much food, but I loved every bite of it.

I thought I'd share some pics of our house and dinner on Christmas Day.

Kitchen Renovations Part II

Here are the pics of the finished kitchen. I am absolutely in love with all aspects of this kitchen. Someone told me it looks like an HGTV kitchen, and I blushed. I really think we picked fabulous, neutral but warm colors that make this kitchen rock!

A few shout-outs to the vendors we went with, and our contractor. Awesome, and highly recommend!

Bellew Tile
Hub Stoneworks

Kitchen Renovations Part I

I have some exciting news and pictures! The kitchen is *almost* done. We are waiting for the tiles for the backsplash to come in, and then we'll be done! The granite was installed, the sink looks AMAZING, and we changed the hardware. It makes a HUGE difference and I can't believe how much better the kitchen looks.

Strike a Pose

I am so lucky that I have friends that are talented. Especially when those friends become photographers and can shoot amazing work.

This year, I wanted to make really snazzy Christmas cards. I half-assed it last year, and was really displeased with the result. And given our handsome pups, I thought why not get a picture taken with the four of us by someone who knows what they are doing?? Capturing these four-legged friends looking at the camera at the same time proves quite challenging.

So I enlisted a friend, and former Bentley classmate--Brooke Allison Photography. I encourage you to check out her work. Not only does she do fabulous work, but she is a warm and bubbly person just waiting to take pictures and so easy to get along with!

We headed to Marina Bay in Quincy on a brisk fall day. So here are a couple shots of her fantastic work.

Sneak Peek. Kitchen Renovations

the house is a mess. I have cabinets on the floor, dining room, everywhere. I have no sink. I have no faucet. I have two dogs that don't seem to understand not to mess with the kitchen. I have leftovers because we were able to sneak in a dinner at Fat-Cat due to lack of kitchen.

So I share...

Cabinets in the living room:

Messy kitchen and ugly hardware:

PK 11.16.09

Today's post is a solemn one. Today mark's the one year anniversary since my aunt patty's passing (and my Nana's birthday!).

I've had a strange feeling all day. I feel like I should be sad. Then I think no no, stay strong. And then I feel like I could completely lose it. But I think it's because I have this sense of longing that will probably never go away. I find myself driving home some nights and going to pick up the phone to call her the way I always did. To update her on my life, work, personal, whatever it may be. She'd then of course give me her opinion whether or not I asked for it, the best part of our conversations. And of course her laugh, after I told her some ridiculous story.

Last year was a blur, I can't remember if I told her I loved her enough. Or if I thanked her enough. So here it goes...

Thank you Aunt Pat, for your amazing ability to listen and for your countless words of wisdom. Thank you for always being there and looking out for me, and my mother. Thank you for proving sometimes you have to give your mother a hard time because that's what daughters do. Thank you for believing in love despite hardships. Thank you for your ability to stay strong in the hardest of times...to never give up hope, to always believe, and to fight. We thought we were going to lose you 18 years before we did, and the world was a better place with you in it.

And thank you, to the man above, for giving us those extra years. Thank you to Dana Farber, Hospice and all of her best friends for supporting her, John, and my family through such a difficult time. I miss you every single day.

Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.
Buddha

Pupdate November

During a little break from raking leaves, I snapped some photos of the boys. We were lucky enough to get weather in the 60's mid-November, so we had to take advantage and let the boys play while we worked.

Meals and Memories Are Made Here

In a little over a week, our kitchen renovations will finally begin. I simply cannot wait for our upgrades, it's going to look so much better and is really worth the investment in the long run.

We had a relatively painless experience picking out granite and tile (thankfully the cabinets are new and not going anywhere so we didn't have to start from scratch).

I figured I'd give a sneak peak into our choices. We wanted to make our kitchen warm and inviting, but neutral so it will easy for prospective buyers to see themselves in this kitchen in a few years when we sell.

Granite:

Tile:

And then of course a reminder of the BEFORE state.

Exhibit A: (when we moved in)

Exhibit B: (current state)

Oh the places you'll go!

It was a very busy October for this gal. I had Veronica's wedding (AMAZING TIME!), which meant a house guest (wilky!) and lots of fun things to do, a trip to Austin to see Wilky (love that city!), and two business trips to California and Houston. I feel like I haven't seen the hubs in ages.

...I'm also writing this a little jet-lagged, so perhaps I don't even make sense.

I was so lucky to have spent the past month in warmer climates-- flip flops were entirely acceptable, Iced Starbucks drinks were a must, and outside dining doesn't cause you to get frostbite. But alas, I am home, it's fall....and well...it's getting cold. I've pulled out the sweaters, scarves, and boots. The only nice thing about this is that the holidays are right around the corner and so are our house renovations. tune in shortly for an update.

House Renovations

The Britt household is about to undergo some renovations. We are lucky we don't have anything HUGE to do, but projects that will make our house a little nicer to live in and hopefully increase the value when we go to sell. I feel like all that HGTV watching is finally coming to good use. We've been waiting until this time so we could enjoy our summer, and the advice provided to us proved true--live in your house for a little before you do TOO much.

On the agenda:

1. Kitchen--adding granite and a backsplash. Apparently this means we also need to replace the sink and faucet.

2. Making the 3 season porch 4 season by replacing all of the windows and adding heat.

...details and before pictures to come!

I am dating myself...

Remember way back when you'd create a mix tape? A mix cd?

*BTW, what would it be now? More on that later.

Well, I found mine. all of them from college. Some survived, some are a wee bit scratched. Turns out cleaning out a car does have some positives.

It seems, mine are divided by theme:

• Sappy (for breakups, love stories etc)
• Getting read to go out. (Apparently when you pregame, it's critical you have the right music going)
• Car trips (both my roommates dated guys that lived out of state, so I'd go along for the ride and hang out. It's critical that once you enter another state, you don't need to search for songs).
• Gifts to the significant other/roomie

What I've learned from mine:

• I really liked Ben Harper and John Mayer's sappy songs
• You could never have a mix tape without Dave
• Apparently you can make a song better by making a techno version of it
• Of the top songs listed on Billboard 80%+ made it in my cds.

Date	Artist - Title	Weeks at #1
November 12 2000 – January 27 2001	Destiny's Child - Independent Women Part 1	11
January 28 – February 10 2001	Shaggy feat. Ricardo "RikRok" Ducent - It Wasn't Me	2
February 11 – 17 2001	Outkast - Ms. Jackson	1
February 18 – March 17 2001	Joe feat. Mystikal - Stutter	4
March 18 – 24 2001	Crazy Town - Butterfly	2 (1)
March 25 – 31 2001	Shaggy feat. Rayvon - Angel	1
April 1 – 7 2001	Crazy Town - Butterfly	2 (1)
April 8 – May 26 2001	Janet - All For You	7
May 27 – June 30 2001	Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya and Pink - Lady Marmalade	5
July 1 – 28 2001	Usher - U Remind Me	4
July 29 – August 11 2001	Destiny's Child - Bootylicious	2
August 12 – September 1 2001	Alicia Keys - Fallin'	6 (3)
September 2 – 22 2001	Jennifer Lopez - I'm Real	5 (3)
September 23 – October 13 2001	Alicia Keys - Fallin'	6 (3)
October 14 – 27 2001	Jennifer Lopez - I'm Real	5 (2)
October 28 – December 8 2001	Mary J. Blige - Family Affair	6
December 9 – 15 2001	Usher - U Got It Bad	6 (1)
December 16 2001 – January 12 2002	Nickelback - How You Remind Me	4

Source: Billboard Magazine

• I liked Nelly, Ja Rule, and Ashanti...A LOT.
• Eminem was hardcore.
• Almost Famous made me obsessed with Elton John
• I was obsessed with songs, quotes, and song with good quotes.

Ok, enough reminiscing! Back to work...

October and a Pupdate

The end is near.

Yup, it's that time of year again. October! Which means crazy amounts of candy everywhere I turn. It means Jarrett wants to torment me with tons of scary movies. And it means the introduction of scarves and sweaters and shoes :(

But the best part of cold weather? Snuggling with the pups. And the pups snuggling with each other.

Pay it Forward.

The expression "pay it forward" is used to describe the concept of asking that a good turn be repaid by having it done to others instead.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, in his 1841 essay Compensation^[1], wrote: "In the order of nature we cannot render benefits to those from whom we receive them, or only seldom. But the benefit we receive must be rendered again, line for line, deed for deed, cent for cent, to somebody.

You may have also seen the movie "Pay It Forward", (When 11 ¹⁄₂-year-old Trevor McKinney (Osment) begins seventh grade in Las Vegas, Nevada, his social studies teacher Eugene Simonet (Spacey) gives the class an assignment to devise and put into action a plan that will change the world for the better. Trevor's plan is a charitable pyramid scheme, based on good deeds rather than profit. He calls his plan "Pay it forward", which means the recipient of a favor does a favor for a third party rather than paying the favor back.)

This week is proving to be a week where I need to focus on this. On Sunday night after doing some shopping at Bed Bath and Beyond, I returned to my car, loaded it up, and then put the cart back and went off on my merry way. I woke up Monday and headed to work only to find my wallet MISSING. NO WHERE to be found....I racked my brain thinking I must have left it at BB&B and I'd call them as soon as they opened. But before I could do that, a manager from the store next to BB&B called me and said "Jessica? You don't know me, but I am a manager at the Sports Authority and one of my associates found your wallet outside in one of the carts".

YUP--I LEFT IT OUTSIDE IN THE CART. I left it outside, overnight, in the rain...and someone found it and returned it with nothing missing. Thus, PAY IT FORWARD. I've let people cut me off (which we all know is a BIG STEP), and I'm looking for ways to help out others to make sure this good deed doesn't go unnoticed!

September Pupdate

It's hard to see because it was bedtime and the lights were off... but while Dad's away, the boys snuggle with Mom and lay on the bed a little longer than usual. In this case, it was with each other (not by Knight's choosing...) Love them.

SHIFT_the way you move

For those that don't know, that is Nissan's tagline. This is important because.... I BOUGHT A NEW CAR. I negotiated myself a 2009 certified pre-owned Nissan, which I LOVE (as of Day 1). I hadn't planned to do this until November timeframe...but a good vehicle came up and was priced well. I was lucky enough to receive good money for my Honda so it was a good deal. I'm a little sad, I had that car for 8+years.

....now it's time to drive off into the sunset with my new car!

Go Pink.

I wouldn't normally use my blog for promotion, but this is a worthy cause. I was a bit humbled this weekend, as a good friend's father passed away of cancer. It was emotional, and it brought back feelings of my aunt's passing. It feels unfair, a little too soon, and leaves you with an indescribable feeling you'll just never move on from.

Telus is sponsoring this really cool facebook campaign. Love the use of social media for a good cause!

If you turn your facebook profile picture pink, Telus will donate $1 to breast cancer technology. They've raised over $100,000!!!!

Birthday Weekend

What a wonderful weekend it was. 27 doesn't really feel any different... just one year closer to 30.

Friday night was a low-key dinner with my dad and grandmother and Jarrett in Boston. It was a perfect way to kick off the weekend.

Saturday my trainer kicked my butt given I would be eating in excess at Mistral, it was a good idea as I did. This was my first time there. I had been to Sorellina and Moo, and I'm dying to try their others. Sorellina was excellent, and so I was beyond excited for the opportunity to try Mistral. And what better excuse than my birthday? We started with the beef tenderloin, mashed potato and truffle oil pizza (aka had a piece each and wrapped the rest up) PURE HEAVEN, then the tuna tartare (which was probably the best I'd ever had), and finally Jarrett had the Half "Whole" Roasted Duck with Wild Mushroom Risotto, Dried Cranberry Gastrique while I had the Escalope" of Veal Milanese, Buttered Heirloom Tomatoes & Basil, Soft Corn Polenta. AMAZING.

And then finally, we headed to Gillette Stadium to watch the Pats beat the Bengals and shutdown TO and 85. Here are some pics from Jarrett's droid.

Making Progress

I had my first real session with my trainer last night, and at the end I decided to weigh myself in. It had been about a week and a half since I had been shocked into getting myself back in gear.

I've been really really trying to limit my calorie intake. I am eating greek yogurt and a banana for breakfast, lean cuisines, grilled chicken etc for lunch and fruits, granola bars and the amazing amazing 35 calorie laughing cow cheeses with crackers. The biggest changes I have noticed are my planning and portion size. I plan what I am going to eat, and therefore make better decisions as it relates to food intake and I'm not allowing myself to have the whole box of crackers but rather a serving size! (minus Nicole's wedding weekend)

I've also really been making an effort to get to the gym. And I have been getting there.

...and the results are I've lost 4 pounds! I really wasn't expecting that, and I think that is the proof that I am doing this right. It's definitely the motivation I needed. Now onto getting back into some of my clothes that were a little tight ;)

Love is in the air. A Labor Day Movement.

What a fabulous four day weekend it was indeed. We started with a light drizzle and a lobster bake for the rehearsal on Friday. Hurricane Earl missed us luckily. I was able to spend some QT with the girls, Nicole and Nick's family and friends and really get excited for the weekend. I had so much fun with their families and friends I had never met, and loved to meet and get to know the people Nick and Nicole share so much of their time with.

The location was STUNNING. Even more beautiful in person, and the weather held out most of the day, with the exception of a minor rain storm during pictures. It stopped just in time and even gave us a couple of rainbows :)














*photos courtesy of Kerri.

I can't believe they are off on their honeymoon. I can't believe Nicole's wedding has happened. A year ago Nick proposed, and here they are married!

The Matron of Honor speeches were a success. Both Kerri and I laughed and then cried, and swore we wouldn't. Jarrett said I was even funny, quite the compliment. We danced and danced and danced...Trisha *almost* caught the bouquet, much to TJ's dismay. Like a Prayer is a lot longer of a song than we thought and I was able to make it almost halfway through the reception before changing into flip-flops. I am so happy for Nick and Nicole, and I was so lucky to be part of their special day.

And so now, we have a week off without a wedding event of some sort. An amazing weekend planned with a nice dinner for my birthday and the Patriots game on Sunday. And then another wedding weekend to celebrate with some more fabulous people and 3 more to go. When you initially think about 6 weddings in a year, it's slightly overwhelming, however...I'm now feeling lucky we are able to celebrate all of these special days.

Bad Wife, Bad Bad Wife.

and good, sweet, wonderful husband.

In the whirlwind that was our anniversary, I forgot to mention the most suttle, sweet and thoughtful gift my husband gave me. Not the amazing suite, not the amazing dinners (although those were absolutely perfect) But a rose. But not any rose, a paper rose to honor the traditional gift of paper for the first anniversary.

Thank you babe, I love you.

Body by JMAC Part II

About a month ago I thought by admitting I had a problem, I'd get better. Unfortunately, with weddings, bachelorette's, cocktails, and our anniversary...well I failed miserably. I won't share the numbers, but my weight is a lot higher than I thought, as is my body fat :(

So last night I met with a new trainer (update to Breaking up....) because my old trainer is leaving. He's also a registered dietitian. So, we talked about what I want/need. I explained I get bored with just running on a treadmill and that two miles in the gym feels like eternity while outside isn't quite as bad. I also explained my eating has gotten out of control and I need to get that back in shape. I like circuit training. I like group activities.

I was told I should be eating 1600 calories a day (FAIL) to lose weight and working out 4 times a week. That comes out to about 300-400 calories per meal with the rest for liquids and snacks. He suggested a plan where I do a class one night (tonight's class, Boot Camp: An aggressive, military-style, circuit workout featuring high-intensity conditioning and power moves.), maybe work out with him another night and then do my normal "boring" routine on Sat/Sun.

He also suggested I not go to the extreme. Not become obsessed, just think, prepare and choose wisely. I went to the grocery store this morning and go a bunch of snacks that I could control and portion, and would make me feel satisfied. I remember the last time I was serious about this, I hated the first week, but it does get better. So here I go... wish me luck part II.

We have PROOF!

of what you ask? That our wedding took place.

We officially ordered our wedding album!! Ironically, I had just been complaining to my friend Laura (who is currently doing wedding planning) about how lazy I had been and due to the price other things in the house had taken priority. And then POOF! Our photographer sends an email about an end of summer special that knocked a couple hundred dollars off the price. There was the push we needed.

We should have our first proof in 3-4 weeks. I can't wait to see many of the pictures since it's been so long. Our photographer actually designs it since we are doing more of a collage than a traditional photo album. I'm now antsy to get it, and all of our photos. Note to future brides: if your package includes an album or a DVD of your prints, it's worth it. Albums are expensive, and you'll always find an excuse. Over a year later...and I don't have any of it because we didn't purchase the album until last week.

Pupdate

I mean c'mon. They just make me melt. (Minus their alien eyes and the distruction Lincoln caused before/after this photo was taken)

Making Memories

As I sit here to write this, it's a balmy 60 degrees out, rainy and feeling much like a fall day. I think everyone in Boston was expecting we'd have to go pull out our winter clothes a little earlier than expected. And so because of this, I think Jarrett and I got to thinking about the holidays.

We've decided that spending Christmas with both of our families is important to us. Until we were married, we had not spent a single Christmas together because we both wanted to be with our families. Last year, I went to Virginia to celebrate my first Christmas as a Britt...with the Britts! It was truly wonderful, and at the same time a little strange to be out of my normal routine (and if you know me, you know I don't do well with change). It also made us realize how nice it would be to start our own tradition. Host Christmas at our house.

So this year, we'll be doing our own take. I can't wait for the castastrophe that is sure to happen. I can't wait for the stories for years to come. I can't wait for our first holiday, in our very first home. I'm confident the dogs will ruin something, there will be a dish that is cold, or a turkey not quite cooked. But I also can't wait for us to create these memories and bring both of our families together.

Next up, embrace Martha Stewart. And maybe have some practice rounds in September and October?

Breaking up is hard to do.

No, the Britt's are not breaking up.

I'm referring to my trainer. About a year ago, I found an awesome trainer. We clicked. My 30 minute sessions always lasted longer because we'd chit chat, and a couple months later I was definitely stronger and feeling a lot better. Then shock set in. He was leaving for a better job making more money. I wasn't surprised, but I was crushed... so he recommended two other people he was sure I'd like and he could trust, and then enters "Paul". So Paul and I meet. He's a little more intense, but I kind of like it. If i'm not working out every second of the 30 minute sessions, too bad, it's 30 minute sessions and my loss. A little different, but yknow, can't hurt right? Here's how my final sessions from previous trainer purchase went:

Session 1: I almost throw up, pass out and can't feel my arms the whole ride home
Session 2: similar, except I'm purple in the face, and feel like I can't breathe, again can't feel body parts
Session 3: HASN'T HAPPENED YET.

So contrary to the above, I actually got busy and a little scared. Work got intense, so weeknight sessions with a specific appointment didn't work. Weekends became occupied by wedding events for my ladies, and the I decided I wanted to start running outside, learning my neighborhood and do something different. And the few times I had free were not condusive to almost passing out and not being able to walk for days. So fast forward a few months and it brings us to July. I hadn't been to the gym in a while, and I run into him. We say hello, I laugh, "this is my first time back in a long time, but I have been running! you'd be proud. Must get that last session in". He seems nice, no wierdness.

...and well, I never made that appointment and I think he's MAD! I've run into him a couple of times in the past weeks, and he ignores me. I mean not just casually says hi, but clearly doesn't want to talk. HE IGNORES, AVOIDS, and just DOESN'T SAY HELLO.

Is this for real? Is it possible for my training to be mad at me?

Post-Anniversary

I'm sorry I've been a bad blogger, but things have been busy. The combination of travel, anniversary, work, puppies and the usual craziness of life and blogging has taken a back seat.



I will say, our anniversary was fabulous. Charlotte was different than I was expecting. The wedding we attended was smack in the downtown area at this gorgeous and fabulous restaurant high above the city, which I learned is nothing like Boston. Best analogy, think financial district on Sunday when everything is closed. The city is owned by BOFA and seems to shut down on the weekends because no one is working. Even Starbucks was closed. However, Chic-Fil-A did reopen in time for me to have my chicken mini's for breakfast and the Epi-Center was .2 seconds away with bars, bowling, Coldstone, CVS, Five Guys...the list goes on. I wish I had time to visit some other places. Some of the homes were STUNNING, and I know there was many bars we just didn't know to visit. We also ate like kings and queens, and my stomach is still trying to recover. We opened some fabulous wines, drank a lot of champagne and toasted to the past year being so absolutely wonderful.


And the Ritz...oh my god. Words do not even describe. From being upgraded to a suite, to massages, to being wished Happy Anniversary in more ways than one, boy do they know how to do customer service. No wonder people pay the extra $$. All I can say is well done.









So now the countdown begins to Nicole's wedding in 13 days!! And a MOH speech I need to perfect

7 days!!!

....and single digits until our 1 year anniversary. Cannot believe it. A week from now we'll be celebrating the wedding of our two friends, and celebrating with some fine dining, some relaxation and pampering :)

I found a website that features the "traditional gifts" you should get each other. And I can already tell you, we AREN'T doing this. We'll definitely be spoiling each other with expensive dinners. We'll definitely be opening the amazing bottle of Silver Oak my mom got us, and we'll definitely be eating our cake that I fear will be disgusting but Jarrett assures me will not. But apparently we were supposed to get paper? Yes, paper. Or the 'modern' tradition of PLASTIC?! wtf.

Check it out: http://www.happy-anniversary.com/year-of-marriage/index.html.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_anniversary

According to this, I don't get diamonds until the 60th. GOOD GOD.

The Month of Love

Love is in the air.

What's up with the cheesy posts you say? Well, in 14 days Jarrett and I will celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary. It seems strange to say one year given we've been together for almost 8 years! But in honor of this and the upcoming nuptials of our friends in the next few weeks, I figured I'd get a little sappy.

This was the quote we put on our wedding programs, and I just adore it. I hope you all have found someone who makes you happy, who allows you to be you, and loves you regardless.

Finally I have found a place into which I fit perfectly, safely, and securely. With no doubts, no fears, no sadness, no tears... this place is filled with happiness, and laughter, yet it is spacious enough to allow me the freedom to move around, to live my life, and to be myself... This wonderful place, which I never believed really existed, I have found finally... Inside your arms, inside your heart, inside your love.

Mayhem

This is how I feel in the morning. I can only imagine how mothers feel, which makes me slightly panicked when I think about our family in a couple of years with a baby and two dogs. But before I develop hives, I'll stop thinking about that.

Every morning we have a routine. Jarrett wakes up, takes Lincoln out and feeds him and gets ready. I then wake up, shower, get ready and take care of Knight and putting Lincoln to bed. Seems harmless, right? Except when I said to Jarrett last night "it's INSANE here in the mornings" and he replied "no kidding, that's why I get up first now", I realized how bad it is. He gets up earlier so he can AVOID the mayhem.

The past few days have involved our curious little pup realizing the shower is a really cool place to explore, knock over shampoo bottles and lick lick lick. What he doesn't realize is the paw prints he creates and carries from room to room (and on our white sheets--what was I thinking?). He also finds Knight's ears and paws taste better than any bone could ever. I've become a master of blowdrying my hair with one arm outside of the bathroom so I can keep an eye on the little devil, all the while using my hand to keep the door shut so he can't run in there and steal something from the trash can (mainly q-tips or tissues).

He's closing in on 9 months, and well...we still have some time before this teenager calms down. Let's hope that Jarrett and I survive until then.

GOLF

Gone so long and an

Overly complicated game

Leave spouse and something that takes

Forever

...I write this post because my lovely husband said "Why don't you blog about it" after I complained about golf. SO THERE. I am.

Mainly that I think it's kind of a stupid game, that seems to interrupt my weekend plans and somehow takes 6 hours to finish. He tried comparing this to a day at the beach, and I think that's absurd! His golf is getting IN THE WAY of my beach days.

And if you want me to like golf, you are going to have to find some more attractive men to play the sport or people that dress like this for me to make fun of. Or perhaps, join the country club so I can play tennis and use the pool while you are golfing? *hint hint* HAHHA

Body by JMAC

You'll laugh, but on our honeymoon after a few cocktails I promised Jarrett I'd be a MILF. If you don't know what this is I do NOT suggest googling it, because a whole lot of porn sites come up.

Well, almost a year later, I feel nothing like a MILF (well, first I am not a mother) but also I feel like I've "let myself go". I haven't been keeping up with the gym, my portions and choices for food have got out of control and I like my glass(es) of wine at dinner. Now, let's be serious...I am not going to give up everything. But I need to make better decisions, make concessions and GO TO THE GYM. So I'm hoping that by admitting this publicly, I am on my way to recovery!

Wish me luck.... :P

Happy Engagiversay!

Is that even a word?

Two years ago, I was completely surprised during dessert after an amazing wine dinner at La Campania by Jarrett when he asked me to marry him. I can't believe it's already been two years and how amazing my life is because of him.

Already counting the hours until we enjoy dinner there! T-8 hours...

I'm getting nostalgic

When you are in your mid-late 20's, summertime means wedding season. It's when you hear all of your friends boasting (or complaining?) "I have 6 weddings, what about you?" and every weekend seems to be planned for you with showers, bachelorette/bachelor parties and Fridays are taken off to travel to the venues.

If you asked me a few months ago, I was a little anxious about the amount of weddings. To me it was stressful to think almost every weekend in July was booked and about the amount of money I'd be spending. Now, those all hold true, but tomorrow is our 2 yr engageiversary, next month is our ANNIVERSARY (WHAT?! already?) and Nicole's bachelorette is this weekend followed by Veronica's shower and bachelorette. This has me a little teary eyed when watching any love story and looking through photos of our wedding. I'm not kidding, I could tear up just looking at the hubs at any moment. (and... NO I'M NOT PREGNANT) Maybe it's that I just watched Bethenny Getting Married?

I spent about 2 hours looking through our wedding photos on facebook last night. I am so happy to share in the special days with these amazing couples and going through the photos made me more than excited for their upcoming days. Here are a few of my favorites:

Tomorrow night, Jarrett and I will be doing what quite possibly might be the most romantic thing, is going to the scene of the crime, 2 years later- La Campania. Ahhhh amazing. Love you JJB!