Starting to sink in...

So for about a year now, i've been making all these big plans. Booking a venue, photographer, DJ, picking out this extravagant dress, etc, and it's still just seemed so surreal to me. It still just seemed like a big fantasy where I was planning my one-day wedding of my dreams to the man of my dreams.

Not sure what did it, but now it's starting to sink in that all this is really happening. In a little over 5 months, i'll actually be having the wedding of my dreams and marrying the most perfect man. My plans are starting to come together and it's starting to feel real. And i'm so excited I can barely contain myself :)

I've crossed all of the major things off my wedding to-do list, and now i'm getting down to the, well, minor details of things.

In other news, I have some more BIG things coming up in my life.

I just found out that my brother and sister in law are expecting. And if that isn't exciting enough, they're having TWINS. They are only about 8 weeks along, but I can't wait to know the sex so I can prepare to start spoiling the mess out of my future neices or nephews!!!

I just ordered my college graduation invitations, and yet another milestone in my life is about to take place. In less than two months, i'll be thrown out into the real world. It's kind of scary, especially since I don't have a full time job lined up (AGHHHHH), but i'm so excited to start this next chapter in my life. I have such a supportive fiance, family, and friends that I know things will work out for the best.

Now enough blogging for today, I have jobs to apply for! :)

Lately.

So this past week has been so insane, i've barely had time to sit down and think.

I've posted a few pictures of my past week and all the fun stuff i've gotten to do.

We took this picture right after I picked PK up from the airport. It was only around noon Friday, but we went straight to the Vista to have lunch and drinks with a few of people from work.

While PK and I were hanging out, we went to M Vista, where we became instant friends with the bartender. He made us this drink ^ called a "scorpion bowl". It's a glorified mai tai with dangerous amount of liquor. YUM!

Saturday, PK and I joined a few of our friends down in Augusta for Blake Shelton, Estin Corbin, and Steel Magnolias. We tailgated all afternoon then had an awesome time at the concert.

Meanwhile, work has been busier than ever. Our facility announced one of the biggest concerts of the year, Prince, just a week ago, tickets went on sale this past Tuesday, and the concert is this coming Monday the 21st. All I can say is, only Prince would be able to get away with putting on a huge concert in such a short time. But i'm not going to lie, I can't wait to catch a glimpse of his concert!

Oh yeah, AND in the midst of all of this planning, we've also had a full plate of other events to work/prepare for. I know some of my co-workers are about ready to pull their hair out at this point.

In the midst of all this craziness, i've started back on Weight Watchers with my roommate KJ and S. I've noticed that lately Weight Watchers has "revamped" their weight loss program, and I really like it. On this point system, you're allowed way more fresh fruits and vegetables and foods that "fill you up". Above is a picture of fatfree frozen yogurt that is point friendly since I loaded it down with a bunch of fresh fruits!

I'm so glad today is Friday, but my week isn't slowing down much. B and MH are coming to town this weekend for the St. Patty's Day Festival in 5 Points. I'm rediculously excited!

When it rains, it pours

Anyone who knows me, knows that I get super stressed out when I have a lot going on. Well, lately, i've had just that. A lot going on.

Yesterday, I hit a point where I was having a mini break down. Everything with work, my personal life, school, and wedding planning was just on my nerves. When my day finally came to an end, I figured that all I needed was a good night's sleep and everything would be back in the groove this morning.

Not really the case, because today was not exactly normal.

I woke up a little earlier than I usually do because I had an appointment with the orthodontist at 8 am this morning. I didn't do anything weird while getting ready, except I noticed that I woke up with a little bit of a migraine so I decided to take the medicine I usually take when I get a headache.
I was driving on my way to the orthodontist when I noticed my legs were itching, but I didn't pay too much attention to them. Long story short, by the time I left the orthodontist 15 minutes later, my entire legs were breaking out. I was meeting Shane because I had forgotten something that I needed for work and he was going to bring it to me. By the time I met Shane, the rash was spreading all over my body and I was beginning to swell and turn a shad of purple. Shane and I decided it would be a good idea to go to the urgent care because it was obvious I was having an allergic reaction to something.

Two hours, a benadryl and steroid shot later, the doctors said that I had indeed had a severe allergic reaction to something, but no clue what it was from. I spent the rest of today sleeping off the meds and my body has finally returned to looking normal. Needless to say, the past couple of days have not been too pleasant for me.

But.... on the bright side.... my best friend, PK will be flying in tomorrow from Boston and we have a fun weekend planned ahead. I sooo need this girls weekend to catch up with each other and have a good time.

It's Fat Tuesday!

Happy Mardi Gras Friends!!!

Hope you all have an awesome day and enjoy celebrating!

S and I are planning to go out and do a little celebrating, and have our "last meal!" Although, I don't do it for any religious purposes, I usually partake in lent for the fun of it every year.

This year, we've decided to give up fried foods.

So tonight, I do believe some yummy friedness will be in my dinner menu before I give up the most popular southern food for the next 40 days!

Monday Funday

Usually Monday is just such a dreaded day, and today is no exception. I had such an amazing weekend that the thought of coming in to work and actually doing anything productive today was just such a dreaded task.

So to liven up my mood a little, I thought i'd just start off the week with some of my fun (and random) favorite things right now.

Fun Hat

I'm planning on going to Carolina Cup next month, and I really want a yellow hat to wear this year. I think I have the perfect color dress to match it. I can't wait to play up some bright colors!

Fun (kick your butt) class

It's no secret I'm trying to lose weight, and I've been attempting to go to the gym as much as I can. I'm a member of Gold's Gym, and they offer a lot of different fitness classes. Lately, my schedule hasn't allowed me to take part in any of these classes or they've filled up, but yesterday, I was able to do body pump. Body Pump is a 60 minute class using weights to give your entire body a workout while burning calories and building muscle. And, let me tell you, you will be sore in places you didn't know you could be the next day. I've heard great reviews and it produces real results, so I hope to be able to keep up attending these classes a couple times a week.

Fun ways to play up veggies:

So I've been cooking a lot for S and I lately, and I've discovered some fun, yummy ways to play up boring old veggies.

A Twist on Broccoli

I absolutely LOVE broccoli! S, on the other hand, isn't too fond of it. My stepmom taught me this recipe that is absolutely delicious (although it sounds terrible.) The first time I ever heard the ingredients, I cringed..

But I've never met a person who didn't like this recipe. I tried it out on S and my roommate, KJ, and they both loved it! Now they don't mind so much having broccoli with dinner. It's super easy, and has a very different, but delicious taste.

2 heads of fresh broccoli, separated into florets

Light Miracle Whip

Low Fat Butter (I love the Smart Taste Brand)

Salt and Pepper

Steam broccoli until tender (don't overcook) then mix in 1 table spoon of light miracle whip and 1 tablespoon of butter. Add salt and pepper to taste. Easy, and I promise, it's way better than it sounds.

Another vegetable I find myself cooking a lot of is squash and zuccini. I saute these veggies at least a couple of times a week. In order to keep my menu fun and different, I was playing around one night, and happened to have a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning. I sprinkled this packet in with the veggies as I was cooking them, and it gave them a delicious flavor! It's definitely one I'll use again.

Fun Fashion Blogs:

It's time for Spring, and this time of year always puts me in a shopping mood. Maybe, it's tax refund checks or maybe it's because i'm starting to shed my extra pounds I put on for winter, but regardless, I have shopping fever for spring trends right now...

One blog that i'm absolutely loving is The Look 4 Less. This blog takes runway looks and creates them for girls like me who live on a strict budget. I have thoroughly enjoyed her fun finds.

One of my best friends, MH just started her own blog, dedicated to fashion. MH has an amazing eye for fashion, and I can't wait to read more posts by her. Check it out here

Have a great day! Hope some of my fun, fab finds give you enjoyment to get through another mundane Monday! :)

Time marches on...

Ah, another month has snuck up on me. It seems like yesterday I was beginning this New Year making resolutions and thinking about all the things I needed to get done in the upcoming months. March has always been such a crazy month in my book. It literally IS March Madness, but not because of NCAA basketball…because it’s the month when shit starts hitting the fan. I was thinking about this the other day, and it’s always such a busy month for me and I’m not really sure why. Maybe it’s because looking through my day planner, I don’t have a free day this month between work and prior commitments.

I won’t dwell on all the work and internship projects that keep making my to do list one nightmare to look at…but here are some of the fun things I’m looking forward to this month.

My BEST friend and MOH, PK is coming to visit from Massachusetts. PK moved to MA this past summer, and it’s been so hard to be away from each other, but we keep in touch non-stop. And by non-stop, I mean Gchat, Blackberry messenger, and phone calls daily. I was lucky to ring in this New Year with her at one of my favorite performances of all times, front row @ Chelsea Handler. PK is coming in 8 days, & needless to say I’m excited. PK went to school at USC and even though she’s not from the South, she’s such a southern belle at heart, and I can’t wait to play with her next weekend.

St. Patty’s Day I’m a large part Irish, and it’s no secret I love celebrating this holiday. Who wouldn’t love a holiday to obnoxiously celebrate loudly by drinking and wearing green? (also my favorite color.) In the past, I’ve attended St. Patty’s Day Festival in 5 pts and I plan to do the same again this year. I’m also super excited because two of my close friends, MH & B who recently graduated and moved away are coming to celebrate too. No telling what we will all get into, but I’m excited.

I’ve really been trying to keep up my fitness plans by working out. My fiancé, S, and I joined the gym the end of last year, and we’ve made a point of getting to the gym every week and eating healthier. My weight has always been a tough point for me, and instead of making yet another New Year’s resolution to lose weight and eat healthier, I’ve made it a part of my monthly goals to accomplish. Each month this year, I have something to look forward to, so I’m making mini goals. I’ve learned that when I look forward to something that’s a little ways out, like my wedding, I find ways to excuse myself or procrastinate. But if I look at the events rolling around in the near future, I find it as more of a motivation. As much as I hate working out, I love how it makes me feel.