Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Awesome Weekend

I feel like I have a million things to write about... but it's probably just 5... so here we go:

Thursday

So I normally don't drink very much these days, but for some reason I totally drank for 4 days straight this weekend. Thursday night I went over to Bill and Lydia's house for wine and pizza. it ended up being a lot more wine than pizza and I spent the night on their sofa.
(Also, Lydia has a blog in my blog roll, check it out).

Friday

Friday was painful. I powered thru the day and after an afternoon nap I met up with Frank. We had a few drinks at Spider Kelly's. SK's is an AWESOME new-ish bar. They have pool and video games, and basketball. It's total playtime. I love it, they did everything right that you could do with a bar. I think it's going to be my new favorite spot.
After a quick slice of pizza I called it an early night.

Saturday

Saturday I started the morning off with girls brunch in Eastern Market. We had brunch at Tunnicliffs. This place is the bomb diggity. Yes, I just used the phrase "bomb diggity". I tried something on the menu that seemed outlandish... an omelet with mashed potatoes, bacon, cheddar cheese and sour cream. You read that right. MASHED POTATOES. This omelet was epic. I don't ever want to have eggs without mashed potatoes again. It was seriously that good.

After brunch we wandered around the market for a bit, I bought myself a kickass ring, and then I headed to Anna Pope's BBQ.

Anna throws an awesome BBQ. Tamsin and managed to find Abita Strawberry Lager at Aerowine. We brought a couple of six packs and enjoyed the burgers, beer, and sun in our sundresses.

After the BBQ I went home and started a craft project. Tamsin picked me up a few hours later and we met up with Anna H. for karaoke! There is this awesome bar in south Arlington called LA Cafe. It's a hole in the wall place, and SO much fun. There are a few "best parts" to it. I love the fact that it is walking distance from my house (so I'll totally go again). Also, there were 7 of us, drinking pitchers pretty steadily. At the end of the night, our tab was $77. That is including 2 shots (which Tamsin and I took). i was convinced they were missing a 1 at the beginning of that. I was prepared to spend $40ish on the night, and we walked out of there with an $11 tab. You can't beat it.

Sunday

I actually made it to mass in the morning, nothing short of amazing. After that I went to brunch with Frank at 11th Street Lounge. They have $1 mimosas. Total win. After the mimosas we hung out in his backyard with the neighbor. Soaked up some sun and read on US Weekly. I pwned him in some bocce ball. It was a great Sunday.

All in all this was one of the best weekends I have had in a really long time.

School Zones

Is it just me or are school zones not long enough? I drive through two on my way to work, they are literally the length of the school and that's it. I feel like there should be some sort of block radius that acts as a buffer. Kids are walking in all directions. I try to keep my speed really slow int he areas around schools, even if it's not technically within the zone. Just some food for thought.

TV/TV/ and More TV

I think I mentioned that I am going without cable these days. I watch my TV on hulu and I ordered netflix. So far this seems to be working. With Netflix/Hulu I watch seasons at a time of shows that aren't on the air anymore.
So far I have watched Lost, Arrested Development, and am currently watching Friday Night Lights.

I LOVE all three of these shows.

Lost is almost off the air and just some of the best writing I have seen on TV ever.

Arrested Development is one of the funniest shows I have ever seen. I have SO many LOL moments. It's one of those shows that you want to own and watch all the time.

Friday Night Lights is comprised of two of my favorite things... football and Texas. I really should have been watching this show from day 1. I have no idea why I wasn't. I'm slowly making my way thru it all.

I also have to mention Treme in this section. This is a new show on HBO. The first episode was on Sunday night. It was truly awesome. It really took me back. I lived in NOLA for 4 years, and I still go back to visit regularly. I remember my first visit back, it was heart wrenching. The producers of this show really captured what it was to be there, and live it. I will totally be keeping up with this series, and I highly recommend it to all.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Aunt Sally's Pecan Pralines.

If you're an 80 year old woman, or me, you know what the title is in reference to.
I recently bought season 4 of I love Lucy on DVD. Seriously, that show is hilarious. I don't care if you judge me while I sit and knit while watching I Love Lucy.
When I was little I would watch it with my grandmother, it's a show that carries well thru the decades. My favorite episode ever is not the ever popular vitameatavegimin commercial episode. (Vitamins, Meats, Vegetables, and Minerals... do you pop out at parties? Are you unpoopular?). My favorite episode is when they are in Miami and the guys and girls have a bet to see who can catch the biggest fish. The highlight is when the all meet in the hallway of the hotel carrying two huge fish. You have to see it. It's hysterical. I can pretty much guarantee that I will watch this show with my kids and my grand kids.

My Shoe Guy

So I have a guy who fixes my heels. He's a great shoe doctor, but I don't get to see him nearly enough. I haven't been to fix my shoes in over a year. He is the guy at the A-1 Valet place in Clarendon. He is next to the post office.

Today I took in about six pairs of my shoes. They were in AWFUL shape. I completely destroy my heels by walking around in them around the city. Concrete just tears them up. I walked into his shop this morning and I think I made him cry. He looked at me, then looked and my heels and then looked at me again as if to say "Really? Is this a joke?". I asked him to do what he could for my shoes, and told him I understood that if he couldn't fix them it would be time to throw them out. This is all part of my plan to downsize my shoe collection. I have over 50 pairs of shoes, and I know I need to get rid of more than a few pairs. So whatever he cant fix, goes in the garbage. My next step is to get rid of shoes I haven't worn in over a year. I would like to get my shoes down to 25 pairs (But I'll settle for 30). Wish me luck!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

More Health and Beauty... Guys May Just Want to Skip This Post...

I never thought of myself as one of "those girls". You know the ones. You look into their shower and you see all these crazy products. I was always a shampoo and soap kinda girl (I don't even condition my hair). This morning I counted the bottles in my shower... 15. That's right I have 15 bottles of stuff in my shower. When did this happen? I live alone! This is complete madness. Sigh, I'm totally one of "those girls".

Make-Up Remover

So now that I have started to wear makeup I knew I needed to buy some kind of makeup remover. I was using the ponds pads. They are great, but they are also pricey. It's something like $4 for 20 pads. The pads are the size of a coaster... maybe a little smaller. I knew this wasn't going to cut it. Yesterday I went to Target in search of a more affordable solution. I found it. Baby wipes. I have already been using wet ones/ baby wipes for ages. I keep them in my purse in the travel size pack. They come in super handy. I also keep a pack in my car. I always pick them up at the register at target for $1. I figure you cant beat that. 12 wipes come in a pack.
Well yesterday I learned I was totally being ripped off. I got 88 wipes for $2! They are the target brand wipes. I can't believe I've been overpaying all this time! I'm so glad I really looked into this. Now I have a great makeup remover at a low cost.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Makeup, Mondays, and Movies

Makeup

So I think I have mentioned on here before that I don't really wear makeup. I don't really like the way it feels on my face. However, because I'm a "grown-up" now, I feel like I really should start putting forth a little more effort into my appearance. So, when I started this new job, I started to wear makeup on a more daily basis. I'm still not one of those girls who "touches up" her makeup mid day.... baby steps. I have to say, I'm really happy that I'm putting forth the effort, it makes me feel better all day long, but I would be open to any makeup suggestions my readers have especially in the foundation area. I need a super light (feeling) foundation with NO Oil. Right now I'm using Loreal - True Blend, but I think there is room for improvement.
Please help!

Mondays

Mondays after a long weekend are especially tough. This morning no part of me wanted to get out of bed... and I wasn't tired. I was actually wide awake... but my bed is AWESOME. Plus I turned the AC on last night. I love waking up to a chilly room and being completely snuggled underneath the blankets. But, here is to another work week.

Movies

Okay, this isn't really about movies, it's about TV. I just wanted to be alliterative in my title.
Basically I'm without cable right now, and until I can afford a nice TV set. I'm watching a lot of hulu right now, which I'm fine with. I don't want to start watching any shows that are currently running tho. Instead I like to watch shows that are off the air. So far I've gotten the all of Alias, all of arrested development, and all of LOST (I know this isn't off the air, but it's close enough 0 series finale is in May). Can anyone recommend any good shows that are off the air for me to watch?

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Happy Easter!

I cant believe I got everything done today!

Mass at St. Anne's was beautiful, as usual. I defiantly have found the church for me. This morning I made it to the 9:30am mass. I had to park really far because more people are in church on Easter, so the parking lot was already full. Luckily I got a seat... but it was at the end of pew that jets out so I didn't have a kneeler! I thought my old lady knees were gonna give out on me, but I offered it up, and made it thru. I'm happy I've made my way back to church.

After mass I came back home to start cook... in heels, while wearing pearls. I was terrified I was going to get my dress dirty, so I eventually put my pjs back on. My kitchen still looks like a total nightmare. I did cut up all the veggies for the veggie kabobs, made Italian seasoned green beans, Made carrot cake and cream cheese frosting... from scratch, oh, and a pasta salad to top it off. I ran all the food down to my car, in addition to a small wooden table. I raced to Ballston to pick up Deidre, realized I forgot the wine in my fridge, raced back to my apartment. Then Deidre realized she forgot the goat cheese, so we made an emergency stop at Giant. In the end everything was absolutely delicious and everyone had a great time. I am still stuffed from all the food. In addition to my fixins we had mustard potato salad, roasted potatoes, goat cheese and walnut salad with a yummy vinaigrette, deviled eggs, ham, fruit salad, rolls, candy, cookies, and I'm sure I'm forgetting something... but it was all devine.
Had a great time with friends, eating outside, and enjoying Easter together.

Right now I'm pooped, trying not to look directly into my kitchen at the catastrophe that is waiting for me there. The apartment started off so clean this weekend! Sigh, it's a mess, but a mess that is well worth it!

Happy Easter everyone!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Inspired by Annie...

Here is my list of activities for Saturday:

Went to Annie's to return painted edger.
Went to Eastern Market and purchased fresh produce.
- Had to drive thru Cherry Blossom mayhem to get there.
Went to brunch with Tamsin, Sean, and Natalie.
Went to Home Depot to buy my own paint edger.
Went to Shoppers to grocery shop.
Went to Michael's to but things I didnt need.
Went to Ross to buy a white table cloth.
Went to a different Ross to buy a white table cloth.
Went to Sears... still looking for the white table cloth.
Went to Marshalls ... still looking for that white table cloth.
Came home changed all my winter clothes out for my summer clothes.
- hung clothes, rearranged closet.
Went to Prasad's house to set up for his surprise party.
- decorated
Went to Steveo's for Jenna's engagement party.
Wrote this blog post.

Whew!

All that and all I could find in the way of table cloths was off white... so we shall see how that works out.
Tomorrow:

Mass
Cooking
Baking
Picking up Deidre
Sarahs house for set up
Easter Dinner

What a full weekend!!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Totally Unpacked!

I mean, sure, everything isn't in it's place, but it's all out of boxes and bags, and that's pretty awesome. I'm also excited that everything actually fits! I even have some closet space leftover. This is good because my craft bins need to desperately be organized (the needed organization even before I moved). I'm looking forward to tackling that obstacle sometime next week. This an engagement party to go to on Saturday, and a potluck on Easter Sunday. Woo, gonna be good.

Sacraments

So I know I've been more "Jesus-y" on here than I normally am, but I've been going to church every Sunday, so I suppose these are the unintended effects. That being said, I knew it was just a matter of time till I would have to own up, and head to confession. The recommendation for confession is 4-6 times a year. Some people even go as often as every month. I went 2 years ago. So as you can imagine, it's not a favorite thing of mine to do. I would actually venture to say it's my least favorite part of being Catholic. Still, I knew I needed to go, and I know how important it is. I arrived about 20 minutes early, because if there is one thing my 15 years of being catholic has taught me, is that we Catholics like to procrastinate. I knew there would be an insane line. I was the first one there and when I went in there were about 4 people behind me in line. When I walked out there were about 20 people. Totally called it. At the end of the day I am glad that I went. There is such a feeling of relief walling out of the confessional. You feel.... light. The closest thing I can compare it to is being done with a really hard final exam. I know that sounds silly, but it's that same sense of relief, and knowing it's now all in the past, and it's time to start anew.
So, until I do more bad stuff, I'm glad I went.

TV/Books/Movies

How had I never seen all of Arrested Development? Please explain this to me, someone. This show is freaking hilarious. There are only 3 season, and episodes are about 20 minutes long each. Ron Howard is the narrator, and Jason Bateman is the star. It's the kind of humor that makes you laugh out loud. No, really, I had shut my office door today, while I snuck an episode in. I highly recommend!

Around Town

It's spring which means it's cherry blossom time. Today and tomorrow are supposed to be the peak days for the cherry blossoms. I know there are hoards of tourists, but if you can stand it, I suggest you make it out and snap some shots, after all we live in DC because of stuff like this.