Scenes from the Weekend

Another Monday. Oy.... This week most of the other managers are in Scotland and they left me and the HR Manager in charge of the place. Lord help them... I kinda wish  my boss had left behind an "In case of emergency" sheet, You know, with the names and numbers of the vet, next of kin and that sort of thing. 

Before diving into the weekday, let's take a look back at the weekend shall we? 

Friday night Kev and I had reservations at Bin 54 for Triangle Restaurant Week. Restaurant Week is the bomb. A bunch of restaurants have price fixed menus for $25 or $30 per person for a 3 course meal. As soon as Restaurant Week is announced, we go onto Open Table and make reservations at Bin 54. 2 people can easily drop $150 there, so the restaurant week deal is pretty sweet.

I obviously started with a Cosmo and Kev some wine. We both got the same thing, wedge salad, fillet and strawberry shortcake for dessert. I'd had a spectacularly awful week and enjoyed 2 of these beauties. The meal was awesome, as always. 

Unfortunately we couldn't stay out too late since I was running the Susan Komen Race the next morning. 

I talked about this race last year where I apparently had a pretty run. I talked about it before but this race is super special to me because it was the first race I ever did... Five years ago! It's still hard to believe that I've been running that long. That's just crazy to me. 

This year they made some changes to the race that I wasn't a fan of, The biggest is that the competitive runner's start time was moved back an hour to 8am. The last 3 years we took off at 7am and the recreational runners / walkers at 8am. There's a HUGE difference between 7am and 8am on a super hot and humid day. I've never ran in hotter temperatures. If it wasn't the Komen race, I would have stayed home.

I was glad when I got there, it's always so inspirational to see 1000s of people coming together to fight against this terrible disease.

I wanted to die most of the race. Yeah, I haven't been running consistently but I think it was 82 degrees with 90% humidity. Hands down it was my worst time ever. I think I stumbled in at 38:00. But I did stop at the water stations and walked up the hills.

Immediately after I finished I ran into the super awesome Mindy Sopher. I've known Mindy through KD since I moved here 10 years ago. She's a 3 time breast cancer survivor and such an inspiration,

I was rocking some serious squinty eye

The rest of the afternoon I watched Netflix and refused to move. I think I sweat out 10 pounds at the race. Oh, and word of advice, if you haven't been eating gluten and then have 2 rolls at dinner, your stomach might not like you very much the next day.

Since I wasn't moving, Kev and I decided to christen our new fire pit and I invited some of my friends to join us.

I figured we were not only enjoying the outdoors but doing yard work as well. I'm going to burn all of those pine cones AND all of the random sticks in the yard. We might need a bigger pit.

For a while the smoke was blowing right on Kev and instead of move, he tried to blow it away.

It didn't work. Because we are fancy people we drink La Croix sparkling water beside the fire. Well, I had a cosmo in a solo cup.  I'd like to make a suggestion to the makers of marshmallows that they make single serving packets. I just need like 6 marshmallows. I have 3, Kev has 3 and we're good and no stale marshmallows. We didn't burn the house down so the fire pit was a huge win, Except I'd advise against having fire when it's 88 degrees at 7pm. It's stupid hot here.

Sunday morning woke up and Kev and I had breakfast before he had to leave. I headed over to the mall to see if I could find a black knit blazer for convention. Yes, I'm still looking for the last few pieces. I CAN'T believe I leave in less than 2 weeks! Convention packing post coming soon.

As I was looking I came across this Jessica Simpson military jacket at Belk on clearance. I had a gift card from an old return and ended up spending $3.17 out of pocket. Oh, and the Summer GYPO challenge starts tomorrow! I have my capsule all ready to go!

I think it'll be pretty versatile when it isn't as hot as the surface of Satan's ass here. Seriously, it's too hot to go to even go to the pool. 

I was browsing though H&M when a pair of leopard pants caught my eye. "Soft Pants" are in this season and even though I'm pretty sure I last wore "soft pants" in high school, I have a pair that I kinda love.

OMG, DO YOU SEE HOW LOW THE CROTCH IS?!?! THESE ARE HAMMER PANTS!!! 

No no no no no no no... These do NOT need to come back in style. No one looked good in them. No one.

I've been talking a lot about convention and how I'm pretty excited about it. I advise at both a national and local level and a lot of people think I'm a little insane. It gets a little hectic at times but I wouldn't do it if I didn't love it. I got this text from my advisee the other day and it made me smile.

How was your weekend???

Linking up with BLoved Boston!

AND

Ode to the Jean Jacket

Wow, this is a post I never thought I'd write, but here I am. An Ode to the Jean Jacket because I recently developed a new love for this classic piece of clothing.

I grew up a child of the 80s and like all good 80s kids I rocked the big bangs and the acid washed jean jacket. If I remember correctly, I had an assortment of buttons pinned to the front. Probably Bon Jovi or Poison. Because that's what you did in the 80s, you had pins of hair metal bands. If you were really into G&R, you'd put a giant patch on the back of your jean jacket. (I did not).

I got older, out grew my jean jacket and never bought another one. Wait, I did, once when I was in grad school and was working at Sears in the jewelry department. I got one with my discount, put it in my closet and never wore it. A few years later, I put it in the donate bag.

Fast forward to maybe 4 or 5 years ago. I found a cute denim jacket and bought it. I have no idea where it came from or when I got it. Part of me thinks it magically showed up in my closet because the closet gnomes knew that it was a must have. Closet gnomes are a real thing. #truth.

I almost put it in the donate bag at least 3 times because I had no idea what to do with it, until I joined the GYPO Spring Challenge. I saw soooo many people wearing jean jackets and it was adorable. Then 2 of my team members started wearing jean jackets over their super cute sun dresses.  I was inspired!

This was the first time wearing it. Maxi skirt AND a jean jacket, completely out of my comfort zone. 

Little more comfortable, jean jacket and a maxi dress!

No full length pix but this was also a black maxi dress.

Branching off into the world of the short dress and jean jacket

And just yesterday, printed skirt, bright tee and a jean jacket. Yes it's 90 degrees in NC but my office is 74 and wearing a jacket is pretty comfortable.

I talked about the GYPO Challenges in the past and I really can't say enough good things about them. I've always been a "shopper" but it's been so helpful to know exactly what you need to shop for. The best part is that these are all wardrobe  staples that I find myself using again and again and again.

Here's my advice, go get you a jean jacket! Find one a little snug so it still shows your shape. This isn't 1987 and you aren't Billy Ray Cyrus, no need to button it up. In fact, please don't ever button your jean jacket.

Linking up!

Meet at the Barre

Things I'm....

I saw this floating around the blog world and thought it would be fun to play along.Here are things I'm....

Feeling: Hungry. I was peer pressured to go to Body Flow class tonight instead of Pump and it was really good. But since I was close, I stopped at Vitamin World to get some protein powder and to Trader Joe's to get more chicken, Now I'm showered and waiting for my fish to come out of the oven.

What happened to the gold old days when you were peer pressured to drink and smoke instead of running or doing yoga?

Watching: We got rid of TWC today and DAMN does it feel good to cut the cord! I'm watching some Once Upon a Time, I only have a few episodes to go until I'm finished. It's the 3rd season and I'm really ready for them to get out of Neverland, They do need more leather pants though. 

I still have 190 episodes of X-Files to make my way though but I have to wait for Kev to be here. Can't watch one without him.

Thinking: Hmmm... I have 12g Fat 12g Carbs and 12g Protein left for the day. Not too shabby but what else can I eat? What am I going to wear tomorrow? How many meetings to I have ans what's on my agenda? Do I want to wear pants or a skirt? Why is this Pan kid such an asshole? Henry's starting to look a little older than they're claiming him to be. Kids just keep growing.There's a moth. This moth is annoying as heck. Where's the cat? She'll catch and kill the moth.

Reading: I bought this at Barnes and Noble because it was a real book, with real paper! And it's heard to read on my iPad at the pool.

It's pretty good and there are at least 8 more books in the series. Plenty to keep me occupied all summer.

Listening: Ergh, I'll be honest, I listen to the same things over and over again. When I listen to Pandora it's always my Bon Jovi station.

Thanks Pandora. I've been waiting 6 months to use that picture! #latergram #LoveMeSomeHairMetal

Writing: This blog post? I have some procedures to type up and I re-wrote some marketing e-mails today. #ImNotAWriter

Needing: Nada, I'm pretty content right now. I could use  a hair tie but other than that, I'm good.

Excited: For convention!!! Kappa Delta Convention is at the end of the month and I can't wait to see everyone. I've got high hopes that NC State will come away with some awards, they've worked really hard over the last 2 years and I hope it pays off! I've got some new outfits to sport too, at least I'll look good in the training sessions.

Hoping: That we can find a house that meets all of our needs and I actually like. We looked at houses last night and I didn't hate all of them which is a step in the right direction. I made a bunch of awful "House Hunter-esque" comments last night though. Ugh...

Worrying: I don't really have much to worry about. Life is pretty good!

Drinking: I just finished a vanilla protein shake. I've got a La Croix too. #IHaveADrinkingProblem

Feeling: A little sleepy and pretty satisfied that I whipped up this blog post tonight!

That's all for me! Happy Wednesday!

Scenes from the Weekend

Hello bloggy world! Did everyone have an awesome weekend??? It's June dontcha know.

One of the male managers told me that he felt uncomfortable with the level of manliness Chuck was exuding with his bare chest so I made him a tank top out of post-it notes.

It's a cropped tank though.

On to the weekend! Kev's group had a convert Friday night at Motorco in Durham. He told me there wouldn't be any food or beverage there and on the way there I was panicking. Girl's gotta have some dinner. Not only did the venue have a full bar, but there was food next door and 2 food trucks. My chubby heart was pleased.

I went to the KoKyu food truck and had an amazing taco and duck fat tater tots which made me cry tears of joy. I was too busy eating to take a picture.

Avante had an AMAZING show! If you don't follow them on social media,
you should! Kev is the one in the purple shirt in the middle.

I was super pleased with my outfit Friday but I left my cell phone at home and was unable to take an awkward bathroom selfie. Instead you get me at 12am and my purple couch. 

I don't know why that jean jacket lived in my closet for 5 years and I never wore it. I even contemplated getting rid of it several times and thankfully didn't. I really can't stop wearing it. It's the perfect topper for dresses with spaghetti straps. Now I can wear them to work and it looks more appropriate than a cardigan. I really think I'm going to do a post on "an Ode to the Jean Jacket".

Saturday morning I slept in like a boss. No gym for me and that's OK. Kev went to a memorial service and I got my nails done. After I finished, I stopped at Kohls to return something and scope out some items for the Summer Style challenge. 

There are a few items on there that are TOTALLY out of my comfort zone. One being a romper and the other a kimono.  I was known to rock a romper back in the day. As a matter of fact, the outfit in my senior high school picture is a romper. 

That is some 90s hair for you. This also might be the last time I wore a romper. Why? Because you have to practically get naked to pee. I don't want to be naked in a bathroom stall.

BUT it IS a challenge and I challenged myself and found this black jumpsuit. It looked really cute on and I felt very Studio 54 in it. 

The kimono is another story though, every one I tried on, I felt like a whore house madam. Some challengers thought they looked like Mrs Roper on Three's Company but I have a dirtier mind and immediately thought of hookers.

Saturday night Kev and I went to dinner at Nantucket Grill and watched 3 episodes of the X-Files. I'm taking bets on when Mulder and Skully finally make out. Mine is season 3, episode 20.

Sunday morning was reserved for food shopping. I did find these earrings at target that looked an awful lot like the earrings in the summer challenge, but these had a weird dangle in the middle. It was super easy to remove the dangle even though several of the other challengers said to leave it. I actually hate the dangle piece and got rid of it as soon as I got home.

I also put flea medicine on everyone and Godiva was pretty pissed off about it.

Then we headed to the pool for a little bit. If I'm going to do a triathalon I have to get in the pool and attempt to swim.

I'M IN THE POOL!! I swam the length of the pool and thought I was going to die. I did it three more times and was convinced I was dying. This isn't going to be easy....

When I was in the pool I definitely saw what seemed to be a sheen of oil/lotion/sweat floating on the surface of the water. I was seriously skeeved out but powered through.

We ended the evening with a trip to the theater to see Mad Max. I get that it's a great movie, and totally bad ass, but it also totally freaked me out. I was pretty disturbed most of the time. At least Tom Hardy is easy on the eyes.

How was your weekend???

Linking up with BLoved Boston!

AND

Thoughts I Had While Watching X-Files

Last week Kev and I decided to start watching the X-Files on Netfix. Before this I'd only seen 3 episodes of the show and I thought it was the same episode with the smoking skinny man. Apparently he showed up more than once so maybe I saw different episodes. They all seemed kinda similar to me.

Before I get started, let me say that I'm only on episode 17 and there are over 200. I'm sure there are a bunch of things that are going to happen and I already know that Mulder and Skully are going to make out eventually which is really what everyone is waiting for, right? 

On to my observations...

 - Does Skully's skepticism go on for the next 200 shows? I'm pretty sure it does. This is going to get old eventually.

 - Wait, did someone just get abducted while she was looking the other way? REALLY?!?! There's already so many reasons for her to believe. Oh hey, I'm tying my shoe and in the mean time a crop circle popped up. It must have been swamp gas.

 - There's her Dad's ghost... still doesn't believe. WTH...

 - Why do things from the 90s look so old now? Is that a fax machine? Oh Lord, Mulder is looking up data on microfilm. I remember microfilm. Damn I'm old.

 - Their jobs would be SOOOO much easier if they had cell phones, and Google.

 - Oh, Mulder has a cell phone, it's enormous, good for him. I guess Skully isn't allowed to have one. It was a different time. She still has to find a pay phone to make a call. Pay phones were a pain and always dirty. Ugh, nothing but herpes crawling all over the phone receiver.

 - Gillian Anderson is not a great actress, She has that same strange clipped speech pattern that Moira Kelly did. I wonder if they had  the same acting coach.

 - I wonder what happened to Moria Kelly. Her career seemed to peak with "The Cutting Edge". I think Kev want to a party in the 90s and she was there. 

 - Ione Skye had that same odd speech in "Say Anything". I wonder what happened to her. I think she married one of the Beastie Boys. She apparently divorced him too. Thanks IMBD.

 - Kev says Gillian Anderson gets better as the show goes on. That's good...

 - Why is Skully always by herself??? She should have back-up and not go places alone. 

 - Yep, there she is getting attacked... and abducted... Maybe after the first time you always take a friend when you look for a bad guy? Hmmm Maybe? Mentally she seems to be handling this pretty well. I wonder if she cracks later.

 - How does Mulder ALWAYS get it right? Whatever ridiculous hypothesis he has, that's exactly what it is. He just knew that when those 2 people died at the same time, some sort of Freaky Friday happened and one inhabited the other's body. No. No. No... there's no reason why that's the first thing he thought of.

 - Why are people in the towns they visit such assholes? If the FBI came to my house I wouldn't be a jerk to them. I'd get the FBI a soda and a snack and answer all the questions.

 - They're taking a bus? Why is the FBI taking a bus? Can't they rent a car? You could rent a car in 1993. They're investigating the supernatural, they must have a pretty decent budget.

 - You know, there just aren't a lot of shows about the supernatural anymore, What happened to Unsolved Mysteries? Robert Stack was the -ish. Seriously, one of my favorite shows. So many of those cases could have been solved if they had Google.

Since all of these thoughts live inside my head and come out my mouth, Kev was less than thrilled that I talked through most of the show. He loves me.... I'm sure I'll have more questions and thoughts as the show goes on.

Did you watch the X-Files back in the day? 
What did you think?

Scenes from the Weekend - Choir Brunch Edition

This Sunday was our annual choir brunch. Every year Kev's choir sings their last service of the year until the fall and afterwards they all descend on our house for brunchy goodness. As usual, I was running late this year and didn't plan the menu until Weds last week. Really though, this is the 6th or 7th year I've done this, I've got it down to a science.

Always use the baking spray with flour when the recipe tells you to. If not, you have to run to Target at 7pm and buy some. 

I remembered blogging about the brunch last year, it was one of my first few posts. You can check it out here. Then I thought, shit. I missed my one year blog-a-versary. It was 5/25. Just one short year ago I was bored at work, knowing I was interviewing for a new job and instead of submitting resumes on-line I decided to start another blog. (No really, I swear I worked up until the very last minute I was there.) I have a give away in the works, I'm just gathering the last few items, I should have it up by next Monday.

Alright, on to the weekend. Friday I said goodbye to 2 of my former advisees and wished them well as they went off into the real world. 

The super awesome cr2f designed this print that I gave to my former advisee turned intern on her last day in the office. I thought it was perfect. If I were a betting woman, (which I totally am) I'd expect to see one of her fantastic prints as part of the give away.

Friday after work, I met up with my other former advisee for drinks and dinner, I promised her 3 years ago that I'd take her for drinks when she graduated. She's moving to NYC in a week and I needed to make good on my promise. We went to Jose and Sons where I had 1.5 margaritas that were quite delicious.

Really though, I'm so proud of both of them. It's a little bittersweet to watch them grow up and go off into the real world but I know they'll be crazy successful and have amazing lives. Sniff, Sniff.

I woke up Saturday morning firmly on the struggle bus. It was like I was hung over but I only had a drink and a half. It was a rough morning and I did jack squat until I left for my hair appointment at 1:30. Well, I did watch a few episodes of the X-Files. More on that later.

My roots were out of control.

Then I came home and started prepping for the party, at 4pm. I've never started this late before, never. I was a little nervous. Fine, a lot nervous. The day before I make all the baked goods and prep everything that needs cooked the next day.

Then this happened. When the recipe says to use the special baking spray, you need to use it. If not, you have to go to Target at 7pm and get it, because the mini pecan pie muffins weren't going to happen without them. 

I also needed some Sterno for the chaffing dish which is MUCH harder to find than you'd think. I walked all over Target only to discover they don't sell it. Then, in desperation I went to Wal-Mart, because that's where you go to buy things you set in fire, right? Nope. I asked 3 people and no one knew what Sterno was. I gave up and then I had to pee which made me panic. The thought of having to go into a Wal-Mart bathroom makes me want to shower with hot water and bleach. Thankfully I work out and my squat game is strong. 

I made it home, and finished prepping. We got a new fridge and moved the old one into the garage. It's the best. thing. ever. All my prepping went straight in there and freed up so much space in my fridge. 

Alight, onto what I made. It's sadly similar to what I did last year, and the year before, and the year before.... Kev loves certain things and wants me to make them year after year. So I do. 

Fruit bowl - Watermelon, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries.

Homemade Gourmet Mini Pecan Pie Muffins - Have you heard of Homemade Gourmet? It was a direct sales company that made AMAZING mixes and all you had to do was add the wet ingredients. Similar to Tastefully Simple and actually Tastefully Simple bought them several years ago and HG is no more. I was a rep for the company and LOVED so many of their things. 

Well, the lady who started HG published some e-cookbooks with all of her HG recipes in them. There's actually an affiliate link on the right side of the blog if you want to get one. 

In the Breads cookbook is the recipe for the mini pecan pie muffins which was a HUGE seller. So good and crazy simple to make. Just be sure to use the right baking spray...

Berry Jam Bars - Kev LOVES these and wants them every time I need to make a dessert. 

Auntie Nell's Blueberry Muffin Bread - You can read the story and get the recipe here. It's the best blueberry muffin recipe you'll ever eat. No, really, it is. Try it once and you'll be hooked.

Trader Joe's Assorted Macrons - You can get these in the freezer dessert section at Trader Joe's and they're ah-mazing. I think it's $3.99 for a 12 pack and they taste just like the ones that are $2 apiece at the fancy bakeries.

Mimosas - Enough said. Classy blue solo cups...

Upside Down Apple French Toast - This is Kev's very most favorite breakfast item and it will never leave the menu.

Veggie Egg Bake - I used 20 eggs, shreddy cheese, sauteed onions, broccoli, green and red peppers.

Aunt Neet's Cheesy Hashbown Casserole - A family favorite. It's such a 1960's recipe, full of butter, sour cream, cheese and a can of cream of chicken soup, covered with cornflakes. Eat it and don't think about it. It was annihilated.

Sausage Balls with Dijon Mayo Dip - It's a Paula Dean recipe, sausage, cheese and Bisquick. I don't know how these 3 ingredients make so much delicious.

Cheesy Eggs - Instead of another egg bake, I made 24 scrambled eggs and put them in the crock pot to stay warm. As I write this, I realize that I used a crap-ton of cheese. 5 bags to be exact. I also went though 6 dozen eggs and 3 packages of butter, No shame in my dairy game. 

The party was a huge success and they ate almost everything. I have some cheesy eggs left and a few muffins, but that was it. Not too shabby folks, not to shabby...

I did have to go to the grocery store and get food for the week, we were out of eggs....

Have a great Monday everyone!

Linking up with BLoved Boston!