I'm A Winner!

Remember about a week ago, I blogged about Monograms and Monotony? I talked about the giveaway at How I Met Your Father? How I wanted to give her a shout out for the entry and direct you there, but not to enter to hurt my chances of winning?

Well, I don't know if you entered, but I did!!

That's right! I have officially won my first blog giveaway! I am so super pumped!!

I got to pick out a lunch tote from Abbe Designs and completely customize it! I chose a navy bag with yellow ribbon and yellow, block monogram! I'm so excited!!

Thanks to Little Miss Can't Be Wrong for hosting such a great giveaway and Abbe Designs for awarding such amazing, cute preppiness!

I'll follow up with pics of my new lunch tote, but in the mean time, go check out Abbe Designs and see all the cute stuff. Disclaimer: If I know you and you have children, be aware that you may recognize the gifts for your babes from here. Just sayin'.

So What Wednesday

I cannot believe it's that time of the week when I link up with Shannon at L.A.I.D. and say SO WHAT!

So WHAT if...

• Sometimes I feel like my twitter/blogger friends are IRL? It's creepy, I know, but with social media making convos easy, I can't help it.
• I can't believe it's Wednesday? Getting home from CO on Monday really messes with my mind.
• I really wish I was a faster reader? I'm in the middle of Game of Thornes and I only have 4 days left on it from the library. Looks like I will be making a purchase at the nook store soon.
• I know that I complain a lot? And I wish I could hashtag my life with #firstworldproblems.
• I hashtag text messages? It's the closest thing I have to sarcasm font.
• I travel pretty much every other weekend in the summer? I don't mean to, but with a three-day weekend every other week, it makes it hard not to day little trips here and there.
• My next weekend trip is to Laingsburg, MI? So, don't be so envious that I travel because if you google map that town, you still have to zoom out quite a ways to find out that it's near Lansing. And it's where the padre y step-madre reside...for now.
• I am basically living on a smoothie diet? It's not that I think a liquid "diet" is what I need, I'm just addicted to my Ninja Master Prep and love using it. It's like ice cream for breakfast. Who can blame me?
• I just got scared by my boss at my office? She never comes around and sure enough she comes around when I'm blogging. #atleastitwasnttwitterorfacebook

And on that note, you should link up with Shannon and say you own SO WHAT.

Mr. & Mrs. Chris Allen

This weekend, I was able to make a trip back to my homeland and lucky for me, it was also Andi & Chris' Wedding Weekend!

Andi and Chris met while they both lived in Boston. (I got to meet Chris when we were in Boston for Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Foley Wedding Weekend.) Since then, they have moved to Colorado and set up shop with their pup Juneau, an adorable husky.

Enough about the bride & groom, let's talk about the kick ass party they threw to celebrate their nuptials!

To start, they served wine to the guests to share in a toast with the couple during the ceremony. Because? Instead of pouring sand or water, they mixed red and white wine. By the way, I was completely distracted by the wine before I noticed the site. It was truly breathtaking. As we were waiting for the ceremony to start, we saw an elk. Seriously.

So amazing.

Red wine, white wine.

Mr. & Mrs. Allen

The happy couple.

Afterwards, we moved onto the reception which was adorned with the couple's favorite sports teams. There was the Red Sox table, Celtics table, Patriots table, and luckily I was as the CSU Rams table.  Not one to be out done, there was a Yankees table, but us Red Sox fans managed to get the DJ to play plenty of songs to offset the Yankee fans.

From there, we danced the night away showing off our best moves.

Pie, wine, football and baseball.

Best. Picture. Ever.

Getting down with our bad selves.

Amazing.

I also stayed at The Stanley Hotel for the night. By myself. I swear that there was a spirit that breezed passed me and started mumbling. But that may be my mind believing what it wants. However, after our flashlight encounter with the ghosts of Boston Common, I'll stick to my story that it was a ghost.

The historic Stanley Hotel

So What Wednesday

I'm linking up with Shannon at L.A.I.D. for another installment of So What Wednesday.

So WHAT if...

• I am so excited for a weekend back in Denver that I can't really focus at work? You couldn't either.
• I am obsessively checking the weather and flight status since there are thunderstorms a go-go through here and basically the whole part of the country that I have to fly through? When I was delayed to Boston for 4 hours and still flew through lightning, I've had my share.
• I really love to fly and travel but have the shortest fuse when it comes to other passengers? You know who you are and you should know that you take your shoes off and there are no liquids above 3.4 oz, so leave your full size shampoo and conditioner behind.
• In packing for my trip to Denver I wrote out the outfits for each day? It's detailed to workouts, lunches, weddings, and lounging. I was a little scattered brained when I was packing, so I had to keep it straight.
• I learned my lesson that I can't multi-task chores? I can't do laundry and pack at once. See previous bullet.
• I already know that my radio will be tuned to KYGO and The Wolf for the next 5 days? I don't get enough country music out here, so I need to get my fix. Oh, and it should help with a trip to Cowboy Lounge at some point.
• I have planned multiple meals around Mexican food? Again, these parts are severely lacking in the Mexican food departments, so I have to get my fix.
• My post is pretty much about travel and my trip to Denver? I haven't been home in 3 months, I miss my family and friends and all things Colorado. I have 5 days to squeeze in Mexican food, country music, the mountains, sunshine, BBQs, and rooftops.
• The thing I most looking forward to is cuddles with my pup, Harry? That kid is so darn cute I can't handle it.

Recent and Summer Reading List

I know that I've been reading a lot of books that people have already read, but since I'm enjoying them non gratis from the library, I don't exactly jump at the new releases.

However, I have managed to get through several books on my trips to and from work on the train and on the elliptical at the gym.

Here are my recent reads:

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
I finally decided to pick up the "Millennium Series" after hearing so much about it from others who have read it and based on the fact that the author is earning beaucoup bucks post-mortem. I will say that the subject matter is heavy and is not a fast and light easy read. It would not be made into a movie for TV...it would be rated R and in a theater. But I would go see it.

The Girl that Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
The second book in the Millennium Series picks up where the Dragon Tattoo left off. Again, there's intrigue and grisly detail, but overall it's a page turner because you want to find out what is going on.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
This is the first book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Riordan. It was made into a movie that I haven't seen, and I'm not sure that I want to since my mind's eye has already painted a picture. Except that didn't keep me from seeing HP and Twilight, so I will probably rent it or watch it OnDemand. I love Greek mythology, so to place a modern twist to demigods, gods, and titans duking it out in my world it makes a whimsical escape and a quick read.

The Rainmaker by John Grisham
I know that this one is a moldy oldie and Matt Damon stars in the movie version. Which influenced my imagination, but not the whole book. I can always read a Grisham novel because there are always twists and turns with every little puzzle piece falling into place at the end.

Succubus on Top by Richelle Mead
This is like Twilight mixed with a romance novel. Basically, take where your mind went when you read the Twilight series and this goes there. Not for adolescents and definitely not something I would bring to the office, but with the miracle of the nook, no one knows what I am reading. This is the second book in the Georgina Kincaid series. (I read the first awhile back and finally got around to adding it into the rotation.)

Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
This beast (literally, it's 783 pages) is what inspired the HBO series of the same name. The detail of the authors words paints a great picture and supplements my obsession to the series on TV. The series actually makes the book easier to read because you know how to pronounce the names and the map in the opening sequence is a great reference point. I'm not sure that I can finish this in 14 days, but I think that for 783 pages, it's economical to buy for the nook to have to read at my leisure.

Next up on my reading list:

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
This is the first book in the Heroes of Olympus series from Riordan. Given my taste for quick reads and Greek mythology, it seems a natural step.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
This is the third book in the Robert Langdon series which includes the ever popular Angels & Demons and The DaVinci Code.

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
This is the second book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. I have to say, I want to see how this series keeps going.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
The third and final book of the Millennium Series trilogy. I want to get through this before vacation since it's a little heavier on the material.

If You Were Here by Jen Lancaster
I don't know why I keep holding off on reading my favorite author. I think I'm afraid of not having anything else to hold me over. That, and I want to be getting what Jen calls "homeless tan" while reading it.

Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead
It's the third in the series, so I figure why not keep it going. And it's a guilty pleasure.

Anyone have anymore titles that I should get into? I'm not adverse to purchasing books, but I'm a little more into the whole free thing from the library.

Oh, and I'll cut you off at the Emily Griffith and Shopaholic series. I'm not a fan. Don't hate, I'm just putting it out there.

Monograms and Monotony

Lately, I've thought of a thousand different blog posts. But instead of sitting down and drafting a brilliant piece, I end up cutting it down to 140 characters or less and tweeting about it. Oh well. My life is a little monotonous. Maybe I should just buckle down and write a bunch and stagger their postings, but that seems overly ambitious. Whatever.

But you know what breaks my lameness? Giveaways. That's right, I'm using my blog to get some more entries for How I Met Your Father's Birthday Giveaway.

Preptastic in Prepadelphia has set up a giveaway for monogrammed cuteness from Abbe's Designs.

I can't decide between a new insulated lunch/beer tote or the zippered top tote. So much to choose from!! I also need to place an order outside of this giveaway.

So head over to How I Met Your Father, but if you don't I'll understand because I want to win!!!

So What Wednesday

Another week linking up with Shannon at L.A.I.D. and saying "So What".

So WHAT if...

• I didn't say, "So what..." last week? I was really busy getting ready for Boston.
• I am really mad that I don't have a job where I can be wrong most of the time and change what I'm thinking at a moment's notice? Weather guys do it all the time and leave me in the lurch packing for mid-70s when it actually rains and doesn't get above 60 while I was in Boston.
• I really love New England? I think I could travel up and down the coast and never grow tired of it.
• I have been sick the last to days with a sore throat and a headache? I managed to sleep most of the time and wanted to die the rest of the time. What can I say? I'm a wimp.
• I already want to be back home and in bed? But I know I need to get through the work day, get a work out in since I missed yesterday, and then I can go to bed.
• I'm already plotting in my head how early my bedtime will be if I rush home? I like to plan my day.
• I really don't like when people type in ALL CAPS? I get that you like to add emphasis, but when you do it ALL THE TIME, it just feels like you're shouting.
• This week's post is kinda lame? I'm a little irritable from crappy, headache-y sleep since Sunday. (Maybe it's those Puritan ghosts.)

Go link up with Shannon and say your own So What!

I'm So American

(Alternatively titled My Weekend in Boston and the NKOTBSB Concert at Fenway)

Before moving to the East Coast, my friend Caitlin and I wanted to go the NKOTBSB concert...somewhere. Thankfully, they were playing TD Garden and I could come out for the weekend and rekindle my love affair with Boston. Just as we were about to click "Buy Tickets", they announced a night at Fenway. That's right. FEN. WAY.

Naturally, we had to go!

After a four-hour delay thanks to Mother Nature, I landed in Beantown Thursday night to start my awesome weekend! Friday morning, I got to sleep in and take a run up to Bunker Hill. That was a real run. Up. Hill. Whoa. (And The Freedome Trail) Afterwards, we picked up our third PIC for the weekend Bree who came in from Denver. From there, we did some retail therapy on Newbury Street, had some dinner (Bree required a crab cake within hours of landing in Boston. I have to agree.) From there, we tried Tasti dLite which was the best substitute PB&J since I 86'ed bread from my life. Seriously. Amazing.

Somehow we started talking about how "I'm so American..." and finishing the statement with a very American statement. Some of my favorite:

• I'm so American I live in the nation's capital.
• I'm so American I run the Freedom Trail.
• I'm so American I eat crab cakes in Boston.
• I'm so American I brought my knee brace for this.
• I'm so American I put out chairs 3 hours early for a parade down my street.
• I'm so American I tailgate a parade about a battle on a Sunday
• I'm so American I take a ghost tour along the Freedom Trail and get scared by Puritan ghosts.

Contrary to weather reports as I packed my bag, Mother Nature dished overcast weather and chilly temperatures. We ended up shopping some more and getting some duds that would keep us warm and happy was we rocked out at the concert. I found some hot pink Chuck Taylors, so I was set.

Now, the main event.

The boys were introduced my Marky Mark, they took over the Green Monster and ran out from the dugout. That just started the 2.5 hour non-stop set by the New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys. I could still sing along to every song, get giddy when the boys would sing to another girl that was pulled on the stage, and swoon when they took off their shirts. (Seriously, amazing.) During the middle of the show, it started pouring rain. POURING. The stage flooded a little and was perfect for the guys to slip and slide up and down the stage. The wet/no t-shirt show was a definite bonus to the concert. Just when we thought we had had enough, the boys close out the concert by rocking Hangin' Tough on top of the Green Monster. So. Freaking. Amazing.

So basically, the concert was awesomesauce.


To get out of the rain after the concert, we went to Lucky Strike and bowled a couple of games. It was so much fun! And kept us dry.

Sunday brought more chilly weather and so we did a mellow brunch and movie to recover. We also had a ghost tour through Boston that we had to be ready to communicate with ghosts. We learned a lot about the city and its history. We also had a freaky communication with what we assume to be Puritan ghosts because Boston Common used to be the place that they hung over 400 people, a couple of dogs, and children. If you've watched Ghost Hunters, the will set up a flashlight that can turn on with a slight tap. As you ask spirits questions, you ask them to light up a flashlight in response. We were told to leave, and being a believer, I was ready to go. And then lost some sleep over it. Creeptastic.

Now, onto the pictures.

We're so American we ear lunch on the water.

Paul Revere is so American he supports the American team in the Stanley Cup.

We're so American we pre-game the concert and make creepers in the background jealous of our Americaness.

NKOTBSB are so American they take over the Green Monster.

NKOTBSB are so American Marky Mark introduces them.

Jordan Knight is so American his name is displayed in red, white and blue and under a Bank of America sign.

We're so American our seats were undercover to keep us dry in the downpour.

NKOTBSB are so American they close out their concert in Celtic jerseys on top of the Green Monster.

I'm so American I had my bag checked at Fenway and still managed to get nips in the door.

Bree's so American she has a waterproof purse.

We're so American we "baseball" BSB.

We're so American we have a once in a lifetime concert at Fenway.

We're so American we are married ladies to our favorite boy band members when we bowl.

We're so American we have matching raincoats for our Freedom Trail Ghost Tour and get scared by Puritan ghosts.

I love that Boston is so close and I can visit so easily. I know that there has to be a trip to the Cape this summer...that was the only thing left to check off a whirlwind weekend back to Boston.

Locker Room Etiquette

Given some of my recent "encounters" in the gym locker room, I think that people need some review of locker room etiquette.

Public Gym Rules:

• Do not stand stark naked in the middle of three mirrors drying your hair. That's a sight I can't unsee and I can't look at anything but the floor which makes it hard to do, well, anything.
• Do not keep the door to the sauna open because you want to do your ab workout in a heated environment. I will shut the door when I'm going to use the sauna for its intent: my nap.
• Do not sit on the bench chatting about some disease. Not only are you taking up valuable real estate for my bags, you also make me want to do a 2319 on your skank because you're near me.
• Do not sit in the locker room on your phone. Because you can easily have a conversation clothed and out of the locker room if you took the time to get dressed and get out of the locker room.
• Do not stand as naked as possible for as long as possible. Even though you're not standing in front of three mirrors, you are behind a blind corner and that is, again, a sight I can't unsee.

Work Gym Rules:

•  If you're in the locker room with subordinates, turn around and walk out. Just come back in 5 minutes. Those people are hurrying up to get out of there and you should have a private locker room.
• If you're in the locker room with your superiors, know their schedule and avoid their workout plan. It'll save the awkward turnaround/rush scenario described above.
• No one in your office wants to see/know what you look like sans suit, so be quick with the change.

So ladies and gents, apply these basic rules so that locker rooms can be less awkward than a place where a bunch of strangers are sweaty and naked.

Yeah, I said it.

Fashionista

As of late, I have been channeling my inner fashionista, bolstering my wardrobe's ego, and having amazing retail therapy sessions.

I have scored some major deals, some major cute finds, and thought that I would share some of them. (I would share the amazing dress for the wedding later this month and the cool dress from Lulu Lemon, but I don't have pics and I'm not ambitious enough to do a myspace/OOTD montage.)

Lulu Lemon's Totally Totetastic Tote. It's fully reversible, has zipper pockets and pouches making it perfect for the beach and the gym.

I may or may not wear these Sperry's everyday. They are so comfortable, a neutral color, and prepatatic.

Switching up my regimen, I have changed over to Philosophy. This four step program feels refreshing.

OK, so I haven't actually received this yet, but I'm excited for the blending and processing capabilities. Margaritas or smoothies, I'm excited for the summer.

Everyone, I would like you to meet Melinda. She's my find from the sample sale. A gorgeous imprinted ostrich leather, this neutral bag is what fashion dreams are made of.

Part of my 2+ hour shopping spree to H&M. The blush and purple dress are the same (if it ain't broke) and the others are so cute for work and play.

The last bit of my H&M spree: a blazer, top ruffle tops, and two fun skirts.

Super sale at Nine West scored these natural wedges.

And last, but not least, this glittery number is for my cousin's wedding in September. I have an eggpant colored dress that these little sparkles will dazzle from just below the hem of the dress.

So What Wednesday

Another week, another So What...go link up with Shannon at LAID...

So what if...

• I seem to only blog on SWW? It's an easy mental spill in bullet-point format.
• I have a great fashion post planned, but haven't blogged it? I am waiting for Lulu Lemon to post a pic of an amazing dress, get the dress I ordered from Nordstrom so I can google it since I can't remember the designer and the receipt is less than helpful. I promise it'll be amazing.
• My officemate/sanity keeper is in Vegas, so I'm having my own dance club in the office? I shut the door and keep the volume modest so I can get through my day without her. Seriously, who knew sharing an office with someone would motivate you to get to work?
• I am scarily excited for my Ninja Master Prep? It's a food processor and blender...hello to summer smoothies and margaritas with fresh guac and salsa. It's happening.
• I am debating how much I'm actually going to travel this summer? Normally, the summer is when I bounce about the country, but I really like it here in DC and don't have the same itch...although I seem to be going everywhere...Boston next weekend, Denver two weeks later, Phoenix at the end of July, Fripp Island, SC the following week, Houston, Denver again, then San Antonio. I'm jet lagged just typing that.
• I'm going to Boston for NKOTBSB? You know you're jealous. My trainer tries to hate on me, but really, it's NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK. At Fenway. WITH BACKSTREET BOYS. Don't tell me your inner tween/teenager didn't swoon to these boys. Ahhh....so dreamy....but not sure what time has done to them...we'll see, and of course a post.
• I work four-day work weeks yet still find work torturous? It's all perspective and right now, I want a cocktail poolside. 

Hope that everyone had a great holiday weekend! Here's to working for the weekend.