Said Yes to the Dress

I finally found it - my wedding dress! After months of searching, countless hours of website browsing and worrying that I might not have the "OMG - this is the dress!" moment - I did!

When I walked in the store, I saw the dress on a mannequin. I told my mom, "I kind of like that dress..." but I kept walking because it wasn't the style I had been going for. I had five tags for dresses to try on and it was my last tag - my wild card dress.

It was the first dress I tried on and I instantly loved it. I went ahead and tried the others on but kept thinking about the first dress. In the end, we said yes to the dress and signed my bridal life away.

Bridal gown shopping is weird. The entire process is odd because there are rules and regulations for trying on a dress...its just a strange cultural process. No pictures until you purchase, no telling the designer until after purchase, sometimes you can try on the dress yourself, sometimes someone has to put it on you...I am just happy to have found my dress so I don't have to fill out any more forms or buy any more magazines!

Without giving away the details, it is classic and graceful and I cannot wait for it to come in! I only have to wait until March!

On a side note: My mom told me a funny story about our search for the perfect dress so I thought I would share. Over my birthday weekend, my parents were in town and I was still sick from the EYE DROPS. I told my mom that there were a few bridal gown stores in Milwaukee that I wanted to go a look at. It takes a lot of energy to try on wedding gowns and I wasn't feeling it so I said we could wait and go the next time I was home.

Meanwhile, my mom was worried that I had cold feet! She didn't want to ask but she was concerned about my lack of urgency to get a dress. She also thought that we might be thinking about going the simple route and getting married in Las Vegas (I think this was wishful thinking on her part :-).

So after we found the dress she said, "I'm glad you finally found a something because I was really  worried about you..."

Oh, Mom.

Home for the Holidays

I saw Home for the Holidays with my mom and dad in Bloomington at the Von Lee theater when I was a little girl. We had Thai food, spent time at the international grocery Sahara Mart and probably looked at CD’s at Trax. This movie quickly became a family favorite and we watch it almost every Thanksgiving.

I am flying home tomorrow and can’t wait!! In only an hour, I will be in the car driving home with my mom!

This year, she is what I am most thankful for. I love my momma and she has made me the lady I am today! I love being at home helping out with the holiday festivities. My mom always brings out her fancy serving dishes and my grandma’s china. And we have a fantastic Thanksgiving meal at the table I sat at growing up – I typically make my sister laugh until she gets in trouble and my mom and dad just roll their eyes at us. After dinner, my dad will say, “I’m sure glad that I ate when I did, because I couldn’t eat a thing now.” - He also likes to ask cashiers at the grocery if they take cash – he’s one of those…

I love my family, my house, and my dogs. I have so much to be thankful for this year!!

On a side note: My hard working fiancé can’t come to Thanksgiving because he has to work on black Friday. Although I am sad that I can’t be there with him and that he can’t be with me, I know that he and Rosie will be watching football and vegging out in Milwaukee. I picked up some of his favorite treats so he can partake is in holiday overindulgence, too!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Thank you Shirley!

Lately I have had a thing for Shirley Temples. Not the movies (although I used to watch them at my aunt’s house whenever I spent the night) but the drink. Sometimes I want a cocktail without the liquor. It also brings me back to being a little girl because my dad would order them for me if we went out to eat and I always felt special with my pretty drink.

Regardless, I looked up the history of the drink and was surprised to see that the version I know and love is not the original version that was created for Miss Temple! The original drink was invented by a bartender in Beverly Hills, CA at Chasen’s restaurant, a place Shirley Temple often frequented as a child. As she could  not drink alcohol, but was always in the company of adults, Chasen’s sought a drink that would appeal to Shirley’s taste buds, and the kiddie cocktail was born.

The recipes are below if you are in the market for a fun alternative to a cocktail! I think either version would be super cute if served at a baby shower!

The Original Shirley Temple
-Two parts Ginger Ale
-One part orange juice
-1TSP grenadine
-Garnished with an orange slice and a cherry

Modern Day Shirley Temple
-Ginger Ale, Sprite or 7up base
-1TBS grenadine
-Garnished with a cherry

Its the most wonderful time of the year!

I think if you did a study, listening to Christmas music would improve one’s mood by at least 75%. I know it helps me. Now that it is November, I can officially start listening to my beloved Christmas tunes. And I can tell you that almost instantly my mood improves, I feel happy and sentimental and cozy all at the same time! This year I am going to make THE perfect Christmas playlist. But in the meantime, you can use my blog as your playlist.

I hope the music puts you in the holiday spirit and improves your mood, too!

Let the Christmas shopping, recipe testing, Christmas movie watching and gift wrapping begin!

Twenty-sick

The last few weeks have been a whirl wind for Joey and me. We have had lots of guests!

Steve (Joey’s best man) and his wife Lauren came to Milwaukee for their second visit!! Joey kindly offered to take our friends on brewery tours during the day which means I got a few borderline drunk dials while at work. We also took them out to dinner at Milwaukee Ale House – the quintessential place to take visitors when in Milwaukee. Right as we were making our way to the bar for an after dinner drink, fire alarms went off – and like most people, we did nothing. Then a few frantic employs cautioned us that the building was going to explode. So, we left and were glad to take our friends to an explosion free bar – otherwise I’m not sure they would be so eager to visit us again!

That same weekend, my good friend Allison (one of my bridesmaids) came to visit! I was so happy to see her as our last encounter was brief in a Chicago bar. We celebrated my birthday with sushi and had an evening with lots of wedding talk, blog reading and all things girl. It was fantastic!

At the end of the weekend, Sunday, October 24 to be exact, I decided to use those eye drops I mentioned in my last post.

On Monday morning, I woke up with a terrible sore throat and a chemical feeling in my mouth. Hmm…could this be caused by the eye drops? A quick Google search told me that yes – cold syndrome was a side effect of the drops. Over the next few days, my sickness got worse and worse. I was able to make it to work on Monday and Tuesday but Wednesday on, I was down and out.

ALL FROM EYE DROPS?? The sickness went from a head cold to a chest cold – coughing, sneezing, you name it.

That’s right friends; I rang in my 26th birthday in my bed. Joey was going to take me to this new restaurant in MKE and I couldn’t even do it...

On the plus side, my mom and dad came up the following weekend and provided some much needed TLC. It doesn’t matter how old you get, when you are sick and your mom and dad are around, it always make you feel better.

All and all I had a great birthday with lots of wonderful notes, cards, treats, homemade dinners, and company of great friends and family.

**On a side note, I threw away the eye drops and have vowed to leave my eyes alone.

Eye don’t think it was a good idea

Recently I‘ve noticed my vision changing. I used to have spectacular vision and could see things from far away, but I have started to notice a change since I look at a computer screen most of the day.

I made my first eye doctor appointment per Joey's recommendation. Everything was going well and then the doctor said he was going to dilate my pupils. Ok, I haven’t had this done before but it’s just a few eye drops, no big deal. That’s what I thought until I started getting really hot and dizzy…

So I interrupted my doctor with a, “…I’m really sorry but am I supposed to be feeling dizzy…”

This was followed by a series of breathing exercises, going in and out of conscientiousness, intense sweating, numb hands and slurring words. And no, I’m not kidding.

I remember my poor doctor saying, “Stay with me, stay with me.”

Yes-I almost fainted at the eye doctor.

Apparently this reaction happens to about a handful of people each year and there is no major reason for it. The doctor explained bunch of other stuff but I was trying not to black out so I stopped listening.

So what makes it even better is the fact that after I couldn’t see anything up close afterwards. So picture me – hot, sweaty, blind as a bat…I had to go and get a cookie and sit in the food court of the shopping center I was at and stayed there for an hour before I felt safe enough to drive home. But before I left, I had to make a quick return at Kohl’s.

I forgot my sunglasses so to nice folks at the doctor’s office game me a disposable roll up vision shield. 1.)Are you kidding me? 2.) Have you seen what these look like? They actually thought I was going to wear this plastic shield around the town center? Did I fail to mention it was 8pm!?!

Anyhow, I went on to Kohl's - which apparently uses the brightest florescent lights in the world because as soon as I walked in, I had sharp pain in my temples. I was squinting just to get around the store. I made my returns and got out as soon as possible.

Welcome to most painful headache I have ever had.

To make this incredibly long story short, I don’t need glasses. I have eye fatigue and the doctor gave me eye drops to help with this. And – you will read all about the “wonderful” eye drops in my next post.

Royally Speaking

I have to admit that I am completely captivated by royals. I love the history and tradition as well as all of the secrets. Not only the English royals but American ones, as well. Like the Kennedy’s. I love reading about their intertwined lives, the past and the prestige.

Speaking of which, I can’t wait for this wedding. Supposedly it will be in July or August of next year.

I have been a big fan of Kate Middleton since she and Prince William started dating. I think she is so classic and her style is amazing-defiantly reminiscent of Princess Di. I can’t wait to see what this royal wedding has in store! I also wish that I had an occasion to wear these super cute hats and dress coats. So proper – it’s fantastic!

A Must Read

When I was a little girl, I had this fascination with Marilyn Monroe. I’m not sure when it started but I was very young – about five or six. I remember thinking she was so beautiful. I started collecting Marilyn Monroe memorabilia and watching her movies. My collection includes everything from life size cutouts to trading cards and her signature perfume to fan club buttons.

Although I’m not as avid of a collector anymore, I still find Marilyn to be absolutely fascinating. In some ways, I feel like I know her – weird, I know.

When Marilyn died, she left most of her personal items with her manager. Marilyn didn’t really have any family. She spent her childhood in and out of foster homes until she was 18 and could live on her own. Can you imagine that? Here is a woman that was loved and adorned by people all over the world and when she died, the closest thing to love she had was her manager and a few other past lovers that she kept in touch with.

This morning on the Today Show, there was a segment about a new book of her writings. Her manager’s widow found two boxes filled with these writings in a closet after he passed and the materials were turned into a book. I’m not sure it is entirely her diary but includes notes and papers that are hand written. It’s called Fragments and I want to read it!

From all of the reading I have done on Marilyn (which is a lot), she wasn’t the outspoken and loud bombshell icon that we are used to seeing in today’s celebrity line-up. She was smart. She was also very shy. And there was so much more to her than to blond hair and knockout looks.

I think this book will shed a light on the true Marilyn and I can’t wait to dive in!

My Latest Project

I wanted to get a pretty fall wreath for our front door and decided to make one instead of buy. Not bad for my first attempt. Definitely learned a few things about hot glue and Styrofoam. Anyhow - our front door looks beautiful and I admire it every time I pull in out drive way. The best part - I only spent about $13!

Ribbon It Up

I know I am a total dork but I have to say that every time I pull out my beautiful ribbon caddy – I get the chills. Isn’t it beautiful and organized? Now I need another one because I thought I could fit all of my ribbon obsession in just one box. I was wrong.

To a Fantastic 26th Year of Life

In 27 days I will be turning 26. And...its my Golden Birthday. I remember being a little kiddo and thinking that I would be so old on my Golden Birthday...but here I am and I don't feel old. I feel the same as I did when I was in high school - just with much more worldly views and experiences.

What makes me feel old is to say "Golden" Birthday. Which makes me think of the Golden Girls or Golden years. A quick Google search provided a few different terms of which I selected Champagne Birthday!

I think my Champagne Birthday is going to be a great 26th year of life. One major reason - I am getting married! Another reason - I feel like a lot of good things will be coming our way this year. Just an inkling but I am going for it.

So - in honor of my Champagne Birthday, I give to you my Champagne Birthday wish list!

(OK, OK - so I had a little time on my hands to create a very self indulged post...the end.)

1. Bobbi Brown "Bath" Eau de Toilette

2.Bobbie Brown Face Powder Bruch

3. Longchamp "Planetes Tonl" Tote

4. Chi Flatiron

5. Tori Burch Shades

6. Instamax Camera (for our wedding)

In My White House

It is no secret that I love white. I love getting into an all white bed, I love my crisp white shower curtain, I love admiring fresh food on my white dishes or plates…I also am obsessed with my white dining room chairs which I will post later.

I don’t really love to wear white unless I have a tan, but overall I love to live in white.

Below are a few photos of my dream home. One day, I will have a white kitchen...and I won’t want to leave it.

 

 

I love pedestal tables - so classic.



My dream - Love, Love, Love.

  

I would have a color on the wall but otherwise perfect.

Wedding Update #1

So far, all of our wedding planning has been moving along very well. We are about 60% of the way done. The remaining 40% is work that can’t be taken care of until closer to the wedding.

Secured items:
-Church
-Officiate
-Venue
-Photographer
-Catering
-Ceremony music
-Hotel blocks
-DJ
-Invitation designer
-Website
(There are tons of other misc. items that I won’t list.)

That being said, we are in our “coasting” stage. I love the coasting stage. I feel so great about where we are with things. I can’t believe that we are 10 months out. Before we know it, it will be spring and we will be back in serious detail planning mode and a few steps closer to being Mr. & Mrs!

Also, please find the link to our official wedding blog! I have been working on this for a while and will be adding more pages for engagement photos, info about our wedding party and whatever else comes up that we need to share. It is an ongoing process so be sure to check back for updates closer to the wedding!(If the link doesn't open, please visit http://joeyandalegetmarried.blogspot.com/)

A Marathon of Sorts

Lately I feel like the thing to do in your 20’s is to train for a marathon. It’s very trendy and very admirable. Running 26.2 miles at once is an amazing accomplishment. I would consider a half marathon. Not sure I have them mental capacity to run a full.

Anyhow – I am writing today about a marathon Joey and I embarked on this summer. It was a marathon of weddings. This summer was definitely our half marathon as far as weddings go. I mean we were gone nearly every other weekend for weddings, bachelor parties, showers or our own wedding planning. (Please note – I am not complaining, just commenting.)

Here is the big thing – next summer is going to be twice as crazy - the full marathon. I remember people a few years older than us saying, “Just wait until you’re in your mid twenties; you’ll be going to weddings all the time.” They were right.

There are weddings almost every weekend before ours, and several immediately following. We need to invest in a small commuter plane. Chicago traffic doesn’t care who’s wedding it is.

This weekend is our second to last wedding of the year. After this, a wedding in December and then we will have wedding cake withdraw.

Lucky for us, the withdraw will only last until May. Then right back in action.

What happens in Vegas...

Well friends – I would have to say a virtual wedding is a major first for me. Today, I attended a wedding from my office. Yep – it’s true, in the age of video cams and live streams, you don’t have to go to a wedding to attend a wedding. You can do it from the comfort of your office chair during the work day.

A good family friend of ours decided to bypass the wedding hustle and bustle for a laid back approach in Vegas. It was just her, her further husband, the photographer and the officient. And – whoever decided to tune in via the internet.

It was very cute and I am very thrilled for the happy couple!

It just goes to show that what happens in Vegas, is probably on web cam ;-)

Ale’s Delish Low-Fat Potato Soup

Yesterday, there were 47 mile per hour winds in downtown Milwaukee and it definitely felt like fall. The air was crisp and the temps were cool and if any leaves on the trees were about to fall - they are definitely gone now because it was like a hurricane with no water (ok that’s a little dramatic, but you get the point).

The drastic change in weather made me think – I need soup for dinner! So I went out Googling for a good recipe.

I found one and I’m telling you – the soup I found is a keeper – for life.

Below for your tasting pleasure, you will find a fantastic and easy recipe for a low-fat potato soup that is to die for. Even Joey ate it….and he like it enough for two bowls (only if you know Joey do you know what this means because he is the pickiest person I know). For all the ladies out there who get tired of eating low-fat food while their significant other chow’s down on a pizza, spaghetti and tacos, make this soup and enjoy a meal together.

Feel free to garnish with sour cream, scallions or bacon. I was happy with just the soup!

Ale’s Delish Low-Fat Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups diced peeled potatoes

• 1 medium onion, chopped (I only used a half)
• 1 leek sliced (optional – added for extra nutrition and flavor)
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can reduced-sodium chicken broth

• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated fat-free milk, divided

• 1 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes, onion, celery, broth and pepper.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-18 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
4. Combine cornstarch and 1/4 cup milk until smooth; stir into potato mixture.
5. Add the remaining milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
6. Remove from the heat. Stir in cheese until melted.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals 178 calories, 2 g fat (0 saturated fat), 9 mg cholesterol, 274 mg sodium, 26 g carbohydrate, 0 fiber, 14 g protein.

What I did when Joey wasn't home....

I decorated for FALL!! I also cleaned the house but Joey didn't seem to notice that. He was just mad that I put out a few fall decorations. He kept talking about how he isn't ready for fall and that I should enjoy the summer.

And to that I said  - It's September...bring on the fall....

For your viewing pleasure, below are a few fall inspirations that I like and may try to replicate at my house:

Real Obsessed!

Over the past few years, I have developed an obsession. . . to the Real Housewives. Atlanta, New Jersey, New York, Orange County and now Washington DH, I can’t get enough.

That is why I was delighted to see the newest reality franchise, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I’m sure these flashy women will be as over the top as possible – no doubt draped in diamonds, designer labels from head to toe and of course, drama. The show premiers October 14 on Bravo. There is no doubt I'll be watching!

Little Indulgences

Every August, one of my favorite things to do is buy all the September issues of fashion magazines. I love shopping in the fall. A perfect evening consists of an iced chai tea from Starbucks and my pile of magazines.

This year however, I got to thinking about my current style. And then it hit me – I don’t have one.

The reason: work!

In one of my financial planning books, I read that 80% of my clothing budget should be spent on work clothes for the first five to seven years of employment. So that’s what I have done. I have pencil skirts, dress pants, a few work appropriate dresses, and oxford shirts. Blah.

I need a fashion boost! So, in honor of my favorite fall traditions, I am going to make a dedicated effort to spruce up my out of office attire.

I also plan on taking a trip to Gap and Banana Republic. And – you can too because this weekend is the Gap Give and Get 30% sale. Click here and print your coupon!

Miss Rosie - Day 2

Rosie and her esophagus

I don't call her nosey Rosie for nothin! Miss Rosie ate something. Something she wasn't suppose to eat.

And that mystery something ended up lodged in her esophagus. And not the top of her esophagus, the bottom of her esophagus that's behind her heart and difficult to get to.

Let me start at the beginning.

On the way home from Indiana this weekend, Rosie let us know that something was very wrong with her by throwing up in the car and yelping out in pain several times. After putting two and two together, we determined that she had eaten something and that we needed to get her to a doctor ASAP.

We found an emergency vet clinic on our way home and made a frantic stop. After a visit there and some heavy pain medicine for Rosie, we set off for Milwaukee to one of the nation's top vet clinics for emergency care (who knew this was right in our backyard!) - Rosie had an object lodged in her esophagus.

The drive felt like hours...and it was, but only three. Once we arrived in Milwaukee, we went straight to the emergency vet - they took Rosie away and two hours later we were in the vet's office hearing all the terrifying things that could happen to our sweet baby Rose.

I understand veterinarians have to be realistic, but ours was brutal. She had me thinking Rosie might not be recovering from this issue and asked questions that were not registering. I mean, dogs eat things. All kinds of things, but Joey and I were faced with the possibility that Rosie might not make it through this situation and I was mortified.

The doctors were able to remove some of the blockage through a scope in Rosie's mouth, however, the main blockage had to be pushed in her tummy.  We are hoping that this will work its way out and surgery on her tummy won't be necessary.

I was able to take Rosie out of the animal ER and bring her home. She is finally eating and drinking a little bit. At times she perks up and we see the Rosie we know and love, but for the most part, she is in recovery mode and does a lot of sleeping.

Day 1

365 More Days To Go!

In exactly one year from today – Joey and I will be getting hitched!

I’m sure I will be running around to all of my appointments, making sure all the deliveries are going smoothly, watching Father of the Bride – or at least having it on in the background and hanging out with my dearest family and friends. I will also be thinking about how lucky Joey and I were to find each other.

Joey and I are celebrating our -1year anniversary tonight at a French bistro in Milwaukee. I’m sure this celebration is the first of several in our lifetime but one thing is for sure, I couldn’t be happier to have such a great guy along for the ride.

July 30, 2011 – 365 more days to go!

Brew City Flood

Last night in Milwaukee - it rained over 11 inches within a few short hours. And when that happens, this happens:

This is a giant sink hole on North Ave. and Oakland Ave. right by our house!

Interstate 43 - completely shut down due to flash flooding.

Glad I have an SUV - and that I came right home after work!

So we are in a state of emergency and there are a few more storms heading our way. Power was out at my office so we were sent home. Luckily we have power and Internet at home but I am making sure everything is charged up and ready for a potential power outage this afternoon and evening! Yikes!

Going to the Chapel...

Long time, no posts

Sometimes I am good about blogging, sometimes, I’m not. A lot has happened over the last few weeks and I haven’t posted a thing so in short – here is a quick recap.

Visit from the Konopka’s: Matt, Sara and Noah cam to Milwaukee for a quick visit. Noah attended his first Cubs game at Miller Park. I left Joey in charge of the camera so we have no photos – except for some of the Cubs players - go figure.

Noah’s First Birthday: The next week we were back in Indiana for Noah’s Jungle Birthday Party. What a cutie – he loved the cake (see below) and was blessed to have his home filled with family, friends and toys all in celebration of his birth!

Summerfest: This year’s Summerfest had quite the lineup. I made two appearances – for the Tokyo Police Club and Passion Pit shows on the first night. Then -of course- for the Guster show later in the week. Good times- lots of people watching and I mean crazy people watching.

Mom and Dad in Milwaukee for the 4th: It has become a tradition for my parent to come to Milwaukee over the 4th of July holiday. Joey wanted to work on his tan so he went back to Decatur to spend some QT with his fam… .and to work his golf swing. My dad wanted to go on a boat ride and so we went on the Iroquois Ferry to see a lake view of the city – beautiful! After that we went to a Cuban restaurant called Cubinata’s (amazing mohito’s) where we ran into Pharrell of NERD. He was just hanging out on the patio of the restaurant next door before his 10:00 pm show.

We saw amazing fireworks over the lake and my parents helped me clean up my yard and fix up my tomato garden – we officially picked one tomato on Tuesday!!

Then – Joey drove home a new car.

It’s about time Joey got a new car. She’s a beauty and I can’t wait until I find out where Joey hid the second key so I can attach it to my key chain!!

A Wedding and Karaoke: Which leads us to last weekend – we were in Decatur for a wedding – and some last minute karaoke. Joey. Performed. Karaoke. In front of people to possibly the lamest song ever –Girl on TV – originally performed by a lame boy band from the early 2000’s. To his credit, his friends signed him up without telling him and so he and two friends went up to perform. It was amazing.

So finally – a weekend in Milwaukee. What will we do?

I want one!

Lately I have been trying to convince Joey to get cruiser bikes so we can ride by the lake and around town. Cruiser bikes are not macho enough for Joey so it is looking like I will be going lonesome on this one.

My solution for this is to get a basket for Rosie. We can go to farmers market and to the lake! I think it would be great – especially for the summer and fall. There are a few models that I like but the most important thing for me is a pretty color and a basket! I’m feeling robin’s egg blue or pastel yellow.

See below:

(If Barbie can do it, so can I! Haha!)

Joey Does NY - Without Ale (sad face)

Joey is in New York this week for work. Ale is in Milwaukee this week for work.

I am jealous.

We have been talking about going to the Big Apple for a long time because neither of us have ever been. Lucky Joey will be spending his work week in the mecca of all that is good - shopping, food, shopping, celebrities...did I say shopping?  I know he will be in meetings but still - New York!

And within about an hour after arriving, Joey saw Tim Gunn in Time Square! OMG - to bad I'm to big to fit in his carry on!

A random display of kindness and theft

On Wednesday of last week, I was downtown with my friend Amelia. We were going to the YMCA but thought instead of working out on the treadmill, we would put our feet to the pavement.

As we were passing a bookstore, a man in a wheelchair came out and following him was another younger man. “Sir, I think you dropped some money,” the young man yelled as he ran to catch up with the man in the wheel chair. He handed him a wad of cash that included $50’s and $20’s.

WOW – Amelia and I were both impressed (and shocked) by the young man for being honest and returning the money to its rightful owner. It would have been really easy to pick up the money and walk away. It was so refreshing to see kindness – fresh, pure kindness.

I thought about that exchange several times that evening. It was just great.

The next day, Amelia and I were at lunch at Apollo on Brady Street because we had been craving Greek food. The very nice man at the counter took my order and I gave him my card to pay. “Miss, your card has been declined,” he said. Those are word that no woman likes to hear!

“What?!?!” I said.

“It is saying lost or stolen card,” he said. “You should check into that.”

Well – great. I went ahead and had my lunch and then scurried home to check my checking account online. When I got to my account page – there were lots of red numbers with a minus sign next to them and several purchases in Bronx, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. They wiped me out….and then some. (To the tune of $1,700!)

It wasn’t until today that I realized the irony of the situation. Within 48 hours I had witnessed honesty and kindness and theft and greed.

On the bright side, my bank has been great and is reimbursing me for all of the fraudulent charges. And to be honest, I’m kind of glad it was me who was stolen from because if that man had lost his cash – he never would have gotten it back.

Lucky for me, my account will be back to normal in no time!

(On a side note - the jerks that stole my debit card number made a purchase for $1.95 at Dunkin Doughnuts to which I thought - why didn't you at least get a dozen doughnuts or some munchkins! I mean, if you are already steeling why stop at $1.95!! Ohh the nerve!)

If I could be anywhere, I would be...

Listening to the sounds of the water and feeling the warmth of the sun.

We Moved!

Hi friends - I wanted to let you know we have moved. And we won't have internet until June 7, so my blog posts may be few and far between until then.

However, the move went really well. We are totally out of our apartment in Brewer’s Hill and are now happy and adjusting to living back on the Eastside.

A few exciting items to note:

1.) We have a beautiful peony bush in the front yard which means I have beautiful peony bouquets all over the apartment.

2.) We can keep the windows open and the air off.

3.) Rosie has been going outside without her leash on.

4.) We have a nice little balcony with two Adirondack chairs and flower baskets.

5.) We have a garage – so hopefully our cars will be safe. (knock on wood)

Photos to come!

If I could be anywhere, I would be...

Enjoying a quiet breeze on a quiet day.

(I decided to start a Friday post of a place I would like to be on a Friday afternoon instead of in my office.)

SATC II

Lat night, I braved the crowds of high heels and couture to see Sex and the City 2. I am a product of the Sex and the City on TBS generation because I was too young to watch the show in its early years when it was on HBO. I have since seen every full episode and love them all. So of course I was excited to see the latest edition of Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda.

First things first – there was a live camel in the movie theater. A LIVE CAMEL! As you may know – the movie takes place in Abu Dhabi so the folks at IPic somehow managed to get this huge camel to the second floor of Bayshore (a local mall) so movie goers could have a picture taken with it.

Being the animal enthusiast I am, I didn’t like it. I felt bad for the camel and it reminded me of Rosie – a big and smelly Rosie (I don’t know why – most animals remind me of her in some way). I’m a softie – I know. Not to mention the movie theater smelled like a barn!

On the plus side – the theater is an adult only venue in the evening so it was fun to have cosmo’s with my girlfriends and enjoy the movie.

As for my review– I love Sex and the City – in New York City. The movie doesn’t need to take place in a far off lavish destination for me to enjoy the characters and story line. It was funny, fashionable and fantasy. I will just say I didn’t get as “Carried away” as I did for the first movie. However, I would definitely welcome a third.

Kids Are Funny

I'm not ashamed to say I am a Tori Spelling fan. I love 90210, I’ve read her books and I TiVo her show Tori & Dean. I also think she has really cute kids who say really funny things.

The quality of this clip isn’t the greatest but it is definitely good for a laugh. This clip was during the credits at the end of the show but I’m so glad I kept watching otherwise I would have missed this “kids say the funniest things” moment.

I even saved the episode just so I could rewind the part for Joey.

Enjoy and laugh out loud!

If I could be anywhere, I would be...

On a warm front porching watching a rain storm move in.

Whole Foods and Ale Don’t Mix – At least they shouldn’t

So I went to Whole Foods for one thing – flowers. And I found just what I was looking for – a beautiful bunch of fresh white hydrangeas.

So, I grabbed them and decided to take a walk around the store…and somehow, I ended up in the wine department. And I found just what I was looking for – a stylish bottle of Riesling that was on sale!

So, I grabbed a bottle and somehow made my way to the cheese and olive department. And I found just what I was looking for - a nice sample table out with this AMAZING Delice de Bourgogne triple cream cheese with these wonderful hazelnut and fig cheese crackers.

So, I grabbed them both and went to the bakery and picked up a freshly made French baguette that I needed to go with my gazpacho for dinner. I felt like a cute little French girl with my beautiful selections of wine, cheese, bakery items and flowers until I went to the cash register.

So, I grabbed my wallet because my wonderful items and French inspired afternoon set me back a whopping $39.00!! I love Whole Foods. I love walking around and looking at all of the unique items but I always come out with a tiny bag of goodies and a big dent in my wallet.

So, I went home, had a glass of wine, a few bites of cheese and arranged my beautiful flowers. C'est la vie! (That is life!)

Chelsea Lately in Milwaukee...

Well not really the Chelsea Lately Show, but Chelsea Handler will be in Milwaukee and I am going to go see her stand-up comedy show!!

I. Can't. Wait.

The Starfish

Joey and I just got back from a trip with my parents to the beautiful Longboat Key! I am a self proclaimed "foodie" and love to indulge in fresh and delightful seafood when near the ocean.

I give you, The Starfish.

Not much to the eyes - the focus is on the taste-buds. You go up to the bar to order, drink out of Styrofoam and eat from an inside out recycled shrimp box. You also hang out with a bunch a old fisherman and and fishing boats. It is a delight.

For appetizers, we went with calamari and conk fritters - So fresh you can taste the ocean....well the good tastes from the ocean...

My meal: Stone crab legs and hushpuppies - the best part of this dish is that it is a no kill food. How, you ask? Stone crabs - native to the area - have claws that will grow if removed. So the fisherman catch them, take their claws and return them to the ocean to grow new ones.  Weird - but good.

So, the next time you are walking by a shack by the ocean and there are a ton of people there, take that as a sign - don't judge the book by its cover - and take a chance on something new. You just might be delightfully suprised!!

This little thing called engagement…

If you haven’t heard already, Joey and I are engaged!! I’m so excited to be engaged to Joey after 5 years of togetherness.

We met our sophomore year of college and I told my roommate Jordan that I would marry Joey after our first date. Who knew it would actually happen!

The proposal

Joey and I were heading out for a much needed vacation on Longboat Key with my parents. We were finishing our packing and getting ready to get to the airport and Joey said, “Peach, I got you something small for our trip.”

I was thinking he got me a nice bag of Swedish Fish for the plane ride but I was wrong. When I turned around – he was on his knee with a tiny red box. I don’t think I have ever been more surprised in all of my life. It was definitely a great start to our trip and we were lucky enough to have a week of rest and relaxation to let it all set in.

So – we’re engaged. I have watched Father of the Bride every night since we have been home and I can’t wait to actually start planning the wedding I have been secretly planning for over a year – or actually my whole life, as many of you know. I have a flare for weddings and I always have – in fact I have scrapbooks from when I was a little girl with all the things I wanted for my own wedding – including guests to arrive by canoe (which I don’t think will be happening but I appreciate the creativity of “little me”).

Look out for wedding related posts. They will likely be abundant!!

I’m not in College anymore

Greatest College Weekend Ever!

Little 500 Part I

Nothing reminds me more that I am no longer a college student than taking a road trip to Bloomington for a weekend of college living. College students are like wild animals – and I say this in the nicest way possible. It is so funny that it is a cultural norm and rite of passage to drink excessively, act ridiculously and do so in front of your peers, parents and any other adult that happens to be near you.

I was once a college student – but after last weekend – I realized I can’t hang with the big dogs. It took more than a week to recover from two “college like” evenings.

Bloomington Bagel = Lifesaver

I was dirty, smelled like alcohol and pizza (not because I drank too much because it was spilled on me) and I did the walk of shame in the rain at 8:30 am from my good friend Libby’s house to the hotel room I paid for but didn’t sleep in. Since I am no longer a college student and have an 8-5 job, I routinely wake up early in the morning hence the 8:30 am walk home.

Regardless – it is always fun to go back to school and relive the memories of the lifestyle I once had. To sum it up, I altered a funny movie quote to reflect my feelings of Little 500 weekend.

“The great thing about college is I get older, but IU stays just the same.” - So true.

Little 500 Part II
As a proud member of the 2007 Little 500 Steering Committee, I was so happy to go back to one of my favorite things that happens each spring in Bloomington. Lucky for us, we still get treated as special guests and get to take part in fun activities like the alumni bbq and we get infield passes and can watch the race from the center of the field. We also rent out the entire top floor at Nick's to celebrate post race. I love it and I hope I get to keep going back year after year.

Best seat in the house - from the infield

It was also so great to be back with great friends. Although our SC had a smaller showing than in past years, we had a great time and it was good to catch up with everyone. It is amazing how time passes by. Before we know it, we will be having our ten year SC reunion and we will definately be asking how ten years passed so quickly.

                                               

2007 SC photo a the Alumni BBQ

Pho Good

So my good friend and co-worker Amelianna introduced me to this wonderful Vietnamese noodle dish.

Pho (fuh).

Amelianna spent some time in Seattle last summer where Pho is beloved and readily available. It is delicious and is served with fresh Thai basil, bean sprouts, lime and various other sauces of your liking. Inside the bowl are rice noodles, the meat of your choice, scallions, onion and a hot savory broth that could cure a cold in a matter of seconds.

The restaurant Pho 43 just opened in Milwaukee and for all the Milwaukeeans reading this post, I recommend you go! It is delish, affordable ($5 for a large bowl) and you can also choose from a variety of wonderful bubble drinks and fresh fruit juices to accompany your meal!

You won’t be sorry.

Restaurant Info:

Pho 43
2155 Miller Park Way (The old Cheezy Grill)
West Milwaukee, WI 53219

Home is Where the Heart Is

Well - we found our new apartment! And we didn't have to look too far. Our friends, Curt and Celeste, just bought a home in the burbs so we are moving into their place. Not their actual apartment but the house. They lived on the lower flat and we are moving into the upper unit.

I am really excited to live in this apartment for several reasons: We are on the second floor and can have the windows open all the time. We also have two garage spots which is a definite plus for us and our vehicle history. Another plus is the location - right off Brady St. which is great because of all of the shops and restaurants. I am happy to head back to the Eastside. We are two blocks away from a lake view and close to everything.

I'm also excited to decorate a new apartment. We have a dining room now so I've been trolling Craig's List for a diamond in the ruff....an ugly dining room set that I can beautify! I'll be sure to do a 'before and after' of the new place. I wish I would have done that in our current apartment - it was quite the transformation!!

Redesign In Progress!

Currently, I am finishing some maintenance on our blog - should be done by Monday! Thanks for reading! Leave a comment!

C'est magnifique!

Lisa Ling is my hero!

Tomorrow, I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to hear Lisa Ling speak at Marquette. I am so excited to see Ling in person. She is truly one of the most remarkable, determined and unrelenting journalists of our time and her work to tell the stories of persecuted and mistreated women worldwide is beyond admirable. I have been a fan of Ling for several years and her work continues to leave me speechless, humbled and inspired.