Summer Blurbs

While writing this post, I realized that I had lot of things I want to share. I tried to keep each event short and limited myself to one picture per blurb so that I (hopefully) don't bore everyone to death.

Here are the highlights of my summer!

We celebrated our second anniversary on July 5th. We attended the wedding of one of AJ's college roommates that weekend, so we couldn't do a big anniversary getaway. However, it all worked out in the sense that the wedding was an excuse to get a hotel room and get out of my parent's house for a couple days. Here we are at the reception, which was held at a beautiful country club in Rochester:

Instead of a vacation, we went wine trailing down Cayuga Lake on our way back from the wedding. It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of fun tasting wines at a bunch of different wineries. I think we came home with 12 bottles. Oops!


AJ and I ran in a 5k the second weekend of July. I finished in 31:15. It was so humid and I wanted to die during the last mile, but I ran the whole time so I guess that isn't too bad. I was hoping to be under 30 minutes, but in the end I was just happy I didn't come in last place!


I successfully hosted a bridal shower and attended the wedding of one of my best friends. Her wedding was very unique and the trip to Charlotte was another mini-vacation for AJ and I. Here we are at the reception:

Image via Kristin Vining Photography

We also spent a few days here and there at my grandparent's cottage, which is on a small lake in Northern Pennsylvania. I love going to the lake because I feel like I have gone back in time when I am there. We play games, read, chat, swim, drink, and eat....and that is pretty much it. There is no TV, cell phones don't get service, and you are forced to relax. And honestly, how can you not relax with this view??


While at the lake, AJ also had his first experience holding and feeding a baby. My youngest cousin just turned one and we thought he should get some practice since we are hoping to have a baby sometime in the next year. I love this picture because he looks clueless and so scared. Hahaha, poor thing.


The first weekend of August my girlfriends and I road tripped down to Wrightsville Beach for a bachelorette weekend. It stormed on Friday, but we had beautiful beach weather on Saturday and had lots of fun both nights. This was my first girl's only trip and I really enjoyed myself!


I then spent a week staying with a friend in DC because I had to get in a few summer days at work and our renovation project was not (and still is not) completed. We had a nice time cooking together and I watched more trashy reality TV that week than I did all summer. It is so much more fun to watch while drinking wine with a girlfriend.

Last weekend I headed back to NY to pick up AJ and Kona. What happened that weekend deserves a post of its own! Don't you just love a cliffhanger?? (Unless we are Facebook friends...then you already know our news!)

Weekend Recap

We are home after a fantastic weekend!

When we arrived in Pinehurst on Friday afternoon we stopped at the condo and then jumped back in the car. Kona was a great sport the entire ride, but we knew she was itching for a long walk. Thank goodness the next town over has a dog park with easy hiking trails. It was nice for us to get some exercise too. Kona refused to pose for the camera...she was too busy exploring.


Friday night we had dinner with my grandparents. They flew into town that afternoon and are planning to stay down for a couple weeks to escape the bitter cold that is plaguing NY. Spending time with them warms my heart; they just celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary! While we were at dinner it started snowing, so instead of stopping at the one bar in town, we headed back to the condo and spent the rest of the night watching the opening ceremonies for the Olympics. I was a tad worried when I heard that it was going to snow Friday into Saturday, but it ended up not being a problem at all. A few measly inches was nothing after what we had here last week. I forgot how pretty and charming the snow can be when it doesn't fall 30 inches at a time!


Saturday morning we dropped Kona off to get groomed (because grooming in DC is EXPENSIVE!) and then headed over to The Track, a hole in the wall diner that is situated on the horse track in town. Not only was the food greasy and delicious, but we got to see the horses too!

The rest of the day was spent shopping, sleeping, eating, and watching the Olympics. We were hoping to fit in some golf, but alas, you cannot golf when there is snow on the ground. Next time!

Yesterday we had an early breakfast, did some more shopping, had lunch in the village, and then relaxed before our dinner at the Carolina Hotel (where we had our wedding reception).

How about those drapes!? Clearly the condo has not been redecorated since the 70's!

It was so strange walking up to the hotel and I was surprised at how nostalgic I felt. It almost brought me to tears! Anyway, we had wonderful time at dinner and even got to share a piece of red velvet cake (our wedding cake) for dessert!

It really was a great weekend. I was so surprised that my husband planned something so low key, yet meaningful. Perfect, in my book!

Off We Go!

We are off to my most favorite place in the whole wide world...Pinehurst, NC!

We haven't been back since our wedding (I cannot believe it has been almost 2 years!!) so I am really looking forward to this trip. Everyone have a great weekend!

Sweet Sign

Although I'll always be a northerner, there is a part of me that looooves pink and green.

Head on over to My Flip Flopz to enter a giveaway to win a painted sign like the one above! If you win you get to pick the phrase and colors. Sweet!

Girl's Night

Greetings from North Carolina!

Why is that I couldn't wait to move away from here and now when I visit I want to move back? Granted, I don't want to live in the same town, or part of the state for that matter, but something about being out of the hustle and bustle of the city speaks to me. I am convinced I am one of those "grass is always greener" people when it comes to living situations. Perhaps that is why I have lived in 12497 places. I really hate the process of moving, but I get bored with apartments, cities, states, etc. pretty easily. I would have no problem picking up and moving as long as I have an awesome new apartment/house to live in (and of course a job with my husband and puppy tagging along too). Maybe after law school....

When I come down for my internship meeting I always stay with one of my good friends from grad school. She took an internship in the district where our university is, so it makes my trips a lot cheaper. Usually we go out to a restaurant, share some appetizers, and have a glass of wine the night before our meeting, but when I called her yesterday to let her know I was close, she told me that she and her roommate were hosting a "girl's night" at their apartment. Hmm...I was a little skeptical. I didn't know anyone and would be an outsider!

It ended up being a really nice night. My friend made a chicken casserole dish, one person brought rice, another brought salad, one brought brownies, and the rest of the girls brought wine. We spent most of the night talking about mindless stuff, which was perfect after a long day. They have been doing this for almost two months and rotate to a new person's house every week. Although once a week seems a little much in my busy life, I was thinking of starting something like this.

Who's in?

Pinehurst....and the Wedding Sites

My first of many scheduled posts! Here goes....

Since we first got engaged, many people have asked why we are getting married in North Carolina. Perhaps you are wondering too....

Pinehurst, NC is where my grandparents have a home, where I spent many summers/spring breaks/holidays vacationing and visiting family, and where we spent the weekend of our engagement. It is a super quaint village known for its world class golf courses and beautiful landscape. Ever since I was a little girl (I know, I know...so cliche) I wanted to get married there. When I first told this to Alson, he was more than happy to spend his wedding weekend at a place where he can play many rounds of golf.

Also, since I come from two huge families...we figured having a semi-destination wedding would "weed out" (omg I know that sounds terrible) the relatives who I don't really know, that would come to the wedding only because it was in my hometown (where EVERYONE lives) and was convenient. Alson and I are not looking to "meet people" the day of our wedding. The plan worked....we invited 305 and 158 have RSVPed that they will make the trip. So back to Pinehurst....

The wedding will take place at the Village Chapel, which is situated on the village green (not the best shot, but the only one I could find).

Photo from Hagan & Hagan

A cocktail party and dinner reception will follow at The Carolina Hotel, right around the green from the chapel.

Photo from www.oc-usa.com

Can't wait to see better pictures of these places with Alson and I in them!

Primary Day

When all the presidential primary hoopla started many months back, I looked up the date of North Carolina's primary so I would know when it was my time to vote. I remember thinking that it sucked that the primary was so late in the game, but here we are today...campaigns on the line.

Voting day has arrived and now a new wrench is thrown into the mix. Apparently I am a Republican?! Now I will admit that I grew up in a very Republican household (as big business is the field of choice for many family members), but after a couple years on my own and some exposure to more democratic ideas, I would have to say that my views definitely lean more towards the left. Not very far left, but I have a more liberal perspective on certain issues that are important to most 20 somethings. Also, most recently (as a result of grad school and practicum experience) issues relating to the public school systems have helped me to distinguish my party allegiance. I could go on for hours about the flaws in No Child Left Behind (as I'm sure most school employees could), and I think both democratic candidates have the better reform plans for NCLB. Okay, enough about my views....back to the issue at hand, not being able to vote.

I don't remember registering as a Republican when I moved to North Carolina, but I guess I reverted back to the default Republican family view when checking the box. I also wasn't as informed about the voting process, or politics in general, at the time. But, after living with Alson and spending many a nights having deep political discussions, I now consider myself a girl who can hold her own in a political conversation (something that is a must when visiting with Alson's parents...but, more on that some other time). So here I sit today, not voting because I am not able! Booooo!

Next thing to research, the voting rules for DC....