Mix it Up!

I received many fabulous gifts at my bridal tea last weekend. The one I am currently most excited about is this Sunbeam Heritage Hand Mixer. A hand mixer? My favorite gift? That sounds slightly pathetic...but I digress. Look how cute it is!
We only registered for a little hand held mixer because our kitchen is small and one of those big bowl mixers would take up precious counter space. Maybe someday I will have a kitchen full of large appliances...but for now this mixer is perfect! Look how it stores:Surprisingly, it packs a lot of power! I used it tonight to make some Funfetti cupcakes (my absolute favorite). The mixing step is a lot easier when you don't have to do manual labor. I am sold! Now if only I could resist baking and use it for making healthy food....anyone have yummy dinner recipes that employ the use of a mixer?

Fake and Bake....and Splotches

I must admit.....after moving to DC and hitting the 6 week wedding countdown, I decided that I needed to hit up the tanning salon. I haven't been tanning in over two years (I did use to tanbefore any school dance or major life even...more on this below...as well as during the winter because a pasty white body in a skimpy cheerleading uniform did not go over well), but the looming wedding has led me to fake and bake again. I know I know, it's so bad for you and I'm asking for skin cancer....but I think I have a legitimate reason!

First of all, I have super fair skin. Second, I get this really awful nervous hive breakout thing when I drink alcohol, get nervous, embarrassed, anxious, laugh really hard, cry, or have pretty much any other kind of emotional reaction. I get really red. Like really, really red. Sometimes, it kind of looks like hives (but is flat to the touch). Some say it looks "splotchy". The degree of redness and splotchyness is usually directly related to the level of emotion or amount of alcohol. No matter how I describe it, it's unattractive. When I get splotchy, I then get more anxious about the splotches and they get worse. Needless to say, it is a recipe for disaster (and awful pictures) on my wedding day.

There once was an episode of Grey's Anatomy that touched on this topic. If I remember correctly, the girl had to get some kind of surgery (obviously...it is Grey's!) and it was very risky and not necessarily going to work. I have done lots of internet research on the topic and even went to a dermatologist, and they basically told me "sorry, there is nothing we can do". I think I read in Modern Bride that there was some kind of drug like an antihistamine could help control the redness, but then you can't drink.

Anyway, over the years I have kind of learned to calm myself down when I feel them coming on. This works most of the time. For my wedding day, however, I am pretty sure my emotions will be difficult to control and my deep breathing and relaxation methods won't work as I would hope. Interestingly, once I reach a level of drunkness, the splotches disappear...it's like I'm not worrying about them anymore and they go away (I smell psychosis, lol). But, I don't want to be hammered when I walk down the aisle, so that option is out the window too. I have found that tanning and (obviously) making my skin darker makes the redness not as obvious. But, it will still be there! So I will continue to tan until the wedding, but only like once or twice a week (I don't want to actually look like a fake and bake!).

And if anyone else has experienced the splotches or know someone who does, give me tips please!!

The Longest of Long Weekends

I feel like I have been gone forever!

We left for NY on Thursday morning and got back this afternoon. We weren't planning on leaving that early or staying that long, but that's how it worked out. The weekend was JAM PACKED with wedding festivities, visiting family, and trying to pull our life together before the wedding. I don't feel rested, which I was hoping for with the long weekend...but I will admit that most of the weekend was a lot of fun. I even got to see three of my closest friends from college!

We got lots of new stuff from our friends and family at my bridal tea. And when we first walked into our hallway there were 4 boxes outside our door. Nothing like broadcasting to the world that we were out of town. So yes, we are back to square one...okay maybe square three or four, but still not finished...with operation organize apartment. But, that's the extent of my complaining because I truly am grateful for all the new stuff. We had previously been using towels that I got at the beginning of my senior year of college...needless to say they were a tad worn...and bleach stained. Speaking of that, I don't even use bleach! How does that always seem to happen to my towels!!

More later or tomorrow on the tea, our new stuff, wine tour, and weekend in general!

Georgetown = Dangerous

Today Alson and I ventured out to Georgetown (and not to the DMV this time) for a little shopping. First we hit up Banana Republic...aka sale central. Alson got a really great blazer ($50...originally $200), a pair of jeans and a pair of cargoes (both 30% off), and this sweater:
It looks sooo nice on; Alson wore it to our fav hangout tonight...and I'm pretty sure he had some eyes wandering towards him. Luckily, I'm not the jealous type. Ladies, I suggest this sweater for an upcoming present for any man in your life.

As for me, I got a nice pair of dress khakis and black pants ($20 and $40, respectively), this pink cardigan ($18, although I'm pretty sure mine is a little darker) :


And this black "going out" shirt ( also $18) :

Despite getting side tracked by Banana, the real reason we ventured out to Georgetown was to hit up the Coach store. The first bag I liked (as discussed here) was really lovely, but ultimately a little over my budget, and the second was just not as nice in person. In the end I decided on this nice signature style tote:

Can't wait to use it tomorrow when we travel back to NY!

Always a Yankee, But....

Although we will always be Yankees fans at heart, Alson and I have rationalized that we can also be Nationals fans since they are in different leagues. To some die hard Yankees fans this is still illegal, but whatever, we live here now! Funny digression, the first time I met Alson's parents, his dad's second or third question was whether I was a Yankees or Mets fan. I'm pretty sure I got approval at that moment.

Last night we went to our first Nationals game, and it was a lot of fun. The new ballpark is beautiful, and the area between the metro and the ballpark (Half Street?) looks like it has some great development plans for the near future. It even ended up being really nice out! No rain and not too cool or too warm.


We were pretty surprised to see how many people were at a random Tuesday night game. The organization is definitely working to establish a talented club, as well as a more prominent baseball tradition for the city. Next time we will drink before we go.....$7.50 for a 12 ounce Bud Light. But, regardless of the prices, which should be expected at any major league game, it was a lot of fun!

DC is Rainy

I think it has rained in DC 10 out of the 12 days we have lived here. Now, I was born and raised in upstate NY where it is only sunny for like 60 days out of the year and most of those non-sunny days are rainy.....but after living in the south for two years, I kind of got used to the perpetual droughts.

In honor of all the rain, the other day I bought a pair of Lilly Pulitzer's Kids Swellies. They were just delivered, and are super cute.

Unfortunately I couldn't find a picture of the boots with the pattern, so we are going to have to make due with what we have.

Here are the boots:
And this is the pattern:The best part....my freakishly small feet fit into the kid's version (making them cheaper in general) and they were on sale at Splash of Pink. Yippy! I secretly want some rain today, but I know I will be miserable at the National's game tonight if it actually is raining. I think I will wear the swellies just in case though!

Another Incentive to Go Shopping

Since I don't start my job until August, and it is pretty hard to find a short-term job when you can only work for a month, need two weeks off to get married and celebrate that marriage, and then can only work two more weeks before the "real" job begins....I have been spending most of my free time shopping. Both out in the real world and online.

The other day I entered a contest Katie (from Le Petit Chic) was having for a 25% off Coach coupon...and...I won! Yay! Thanks Katie!! After hearing about the news this morning, I have been looking online at some of the bags I like.

I love love love this bag, but it's wayyyy over my budget. Will have to do some calculations....




This one is really cute too, and seems a little more functional. Love the pearly white color too!



Coach store, here I come!

Adventures in Moving: Part One

I have unpacked my laptop, uploaded pictures from both cameras onto my computer, and can finally share the first part of our journey!

When we initially signed up for a U-haul, we ordered a 17 foot truck...the size recommended for a one bedroom apartment. Instead they gave us a 26 foot one: While we were packing, we let Kona out without her leash because we figured it was the last time she would be able to roam around freely (well unless we venture out to VA to visit a dog park). And honestly, it was a pain shutting and opening the door every time we brought something out to the truck. She was such a good girl, staying around the vicinity of our apartment, and even guarded the truck while we were running inside and out.

And another view (from our porch) once the truck started filling up:I was quite scared that we wouldn't make it due to the U-haul's monstrosity and the tininess of our one-way street in DC. Obviously, we made it...but not without a stop on the side of I-95 to fix a flying belt that detached from the cab at some point during the trip, and a rise in both our blood pressures once we actually arrived in the city not knowing (a) how to drive in this city in general (b) how to drive a monster truck through the packed streets {poor Alson} and (c) how to navigate and communicate to each other since I was driving separately in my car. But, that part is over....and we have vowed to stay in our new place for as long as humanly possible. I think I even said I would forgo having children just so we wouldn't have to move out of our tiny one bedroom, haha.

Here are the shots I took before we started unloading all our stuff:

Our bedroom...I wasn't sure about the color when we looked at the apartment, but I think we can make it work!

Our living room and dining nook...yay for the fireplace and built-ins! And our kitchen and breakfast bar...and the hallway to the bathroom and bedroom.

We are STILL trying to get everything all neat and tidy....and once we do I will post some of the finished product!

Mission: Put Together

So I know I’m 16 days late in joining Mission: Put Together, but I just found RA's blog today.

I saw Janet’s link to an outfit a couple weeks back, but didn’t understand what her "casual day outfit" was all about until I saw something about it again today, and started doing a little investigating. What I found was a really cool way to see what other bloggers are wearing, so I learn how to put together an outfit while getting some feedback from the other picture posters.

What a perfect time to embark on dressing nice, as I will FINALLY be starting my internship in a couple months (okay, so it's still a ways away, but no sense in waiting until the last minute to figure out how to look good for work right?). Also, since I have recently transplanted from the tobacco fields (the town I lived in literally was built in the middle of tobacco land) of Eastern North Carolina...and graduate school for that matter...where it is acceptable to wear sweats, t-shirts, and un-professional clothing on a daily basis, to DC where all the people I see on the streets are so nicely put together, I sense it's time to stop dressing like a 4 year old (at least when I am venturing out into public).

I was planning on getting ready and looking nice anyway....I am going to meet Alson downtown after (his) work so we can do a little shopping and get a drink. Now I can photograph my outfit and share it with the blog world.

Not Feeling It....

Since the move, I have had no real desire to blog. I dunno what it is? I have lots to write about...and lots of pictures documenting the last week, but I just don't feel like it. I have been using Alson's laptop because mine is still packed somewhere, so I can't actually upload pics from my camera onto his computer, so that may be holding me back. Also, there are still a few things around the apartment that we need to take care of (our bedroom, for example, still has a lot of clutter that somehow needs to be stored).

The stress of it all has worn me down (damn you DMV!!), but I do love all the fun and exciting things to do in our neighborhood! And tonight I ate Thai food for the first time; that is an accomplishment :)

Maybe once I feel more at ease with everything I will once again be inspired.