Wednesday, February 13, 2013
J.Crew Factory Sale - Valentine's Surprise
J.Crew Factory is hosting a sale of 30% off everything online now through February 17th. What a perfect Valentine's Day treat. Here are just a few of my favorite pieces available right now! Clearly from the look of them I'm loving pink and navy together, what else is new? Also loving the polka dots and green straight leg jeans. They are so fresh! Are you going to snag anything?
Talk About Some Romance
So I have to say this post may be a little mushy, but at least you can't say I didn't warn you.
Last night Dan and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary. I can't believe in just three years we have gone from meeting to married, but when its right, it's just perfect. I know we have an official wedding anniversary to celebrate now as well, but we still enjoy taking time out once a year to celebrate the start of our relationship as well.
Since our dating anniversary is so close to Valentine's Day we often will get one gift for Valentine's Day and do something little for our anniversary, but we go out to dinner on our anniversary instead of Valentine's Day (way cheaper and less crowded).
Last night Dan took me out to dinner at Hudson House, a gastro pub near our house that has been featured on the Food Network. Also it's owner, Brooke Williamson, is currently one of the final 3 chefs on Top Chef Seattle this season. We shared Dungeness Crab Mac and Cheese, Truffle Cheese Fries, and a Pretzel Bun Burger. Dinner was fantastic but the highlight of the night had to be Dan's gift to me.
While I was still at work last night, Dan hid 35 Justin Bieber Valentine's Day cards throughout the house, each with a different nickname he has for me and a memory of our three years together. For the cost of one box of Valentine's, Dan has given me one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received. I can't wait to save them all and I plan to put them together into a book or frame to hang on our wall.
I have only found about 18 so far, so I am looking forward to being surprised by the other 17 hidden somewhere in the house. The only problem is, I am not sure how he is ever going to top this one.
Last night Dan and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary. I can't believe in just three years we have gone from meeting to married, but when its right, it's just perfect. I know we have an official wedding anniversary to celebrate now as well, but we still enjoy taking time out once a year to celebrate the start of our relationship as well.
Since our dating anniversary is so close to Valentine's Day we often will get one gift for Valentine's Day and do something little for our anniversary, but we go out to dinner on our anniversary instead of Valentine's Day (way cheaper and less crowded).
Last night Dan took me out to dinner at Hudson House, a gastro pub near our house that has been featured on the Food Network. Also it's owner, Brooke Williamson, is currently one of the final 3 chefs on Top Chef Seattle this season. We shared Dungeness Crab Mac and Cheese, Truffle Cheese Fries, and a Pretzel Bun Burger. Dinner was fantastic but the highlight of the night had to be Dan's gift to me.
While I was still at work last night, Dan hid 35 Justin Bieber Valentine's Day cards throughout the house, each with a different nickname he has for me and a memory of our three years together. For the cost of one box of Valentine's, Dan has given me one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received. I can't wait to save them all and I plan to put them together into a book or frame to hang on our wall.
 |
| My husband loves to pick the most absurd cards available, but his notes cannot be topped. Source: Justin Bieber Official Store |
Monday, February 11, 2013
Mardi Gras Weekend Update
This past weekend the hubby and I headed to New Orleans to experience Mardi Gras first hand with our great friends Matt and Lorraine, our local guides extraordinare. It was not only great to experience New Orleans for the first time with our friends, but to add the excitment of Mardi Gras on our first visit was quite the weekend.
We had quite the itinerary compliments of Lorraine. It felt like our days were full without feeling overwhelmed at the end of each day.
Saturday
Friday evening we returned to L&M's to get ready for the Friday night Uptown parades. Friday night we enjoyed the parades for Krewe of Hermes, Krewe d'Etat, and Krewe of Morpheus. The girls that night chose to go in wigs and tutus. It was a pretty exciting first parade experience and I came home with more beads than I knew what to do with and one very cute Morpheus stuffed sheep.
Saturday morning Matt made us all a delicious breakfast as we got ready and dressed up for the daytime parades. Again we were headed to the nearby uptown parade route to check out Krewe of Iris and Krewe of Tucks. Now, let me let you in on a little secret. Boobs were not the key to the best pulls at the uptown parades; costumes and eye contact were! You have to make eye contact with someone on the float to get more than the standard set of beads and a great costume makes it so much easier. I can't recall how many times Dan, dressed as Buddy the Elf, or I, dressed as Snow White, were called out directly by Krewe members to hand us pulls and beads. As one float passed, I was handed a multiple beads with medallions (the goal), doubloons, a plunger (the prime pull for Krew of Tucks), Geaux cups and more. It was thrilling and overwhelming at the same time. Post parades we headed to Sucre for gelato, macaroons and chocolates and to Storyville to pick up t-shirts.
Saturday night we layed low after a full day of excursions to enjoy a great meal prepared by Matt and a party with all of Matt and Lorraine's friends. Matt made pork shoulder tacos with coleslaw and mac & cheese. It was da bomb. We also enjoyed some rousing games of beer pong and civil war (boys vs girls).
While it was good to be home and back in our own beds, I wish we had stayed longer! We are already looking forward to our next trip to NOLA! Miss this girl already!
We had quite the itinerary compliments of Lorraine. It felt like our days were full without feeling overwhelmed at the end of each day.
Thursday
11:30 PMish E & D arrive
12-2 AMish Cocktails and Catch Up at Casa L&M
Friday
10:30 AM -- Brunch at French Pastry Shop
10:30 AM -- Brunch at French Pastry Shop
12 - 5 PM -- French Quarter Funday
6 PM -- Night Parades Start
11pm -- Dinner at Ignatius on Magazine St.
Saturday
10:30 AM -- Brunch at Casa L&M
11:30 AM -- Day Parades Start
5-6:30 PM -- explore Magazine Street for food and/shopping (Sucre/Storyville)
7 PM -- M's BBQ & Casa L&M House Party
9 PM -- uptown bars/ drinking at house
Sunday
Sunday
9:30 AM -- Brunch at Casa J&A
11 AM -- Day Parades Start
3:30 PM -- E&D depart.Their dignity remains somewhere in NOLA.
Dan and I started our adventure for NOLA on Thursday afternoon and after a day of flying, finally arrived in at Casa L&M early Friday morning. We were able to enjoy some sightseeing of the French Quarter during the day on Friday, where I purchased a great handmade ribbon headband from the French Market (mine has a bow of course); we enjoyed margaritas and mojitos at El Gato Negro; sunbathed in Jackson Square under the Jackson statue; and grabbed a hurricane at Pat O'Brien's.
Friday evening we returned to L&M's to get ready for the Friday night Uptown parades. Friday night we enjoyed the parades for Krewe of Hermes, Krewe d'Etat, and Krewe of Morpheus. The girls that night chose to go in wigs and tutus. It was a pretty exciting first parade experience and I came home with more beads than I knew what to do with and one very cute Morpheus stuffed sheep.
Saturday morning Matt made us all a delicious breakfast as we got ready and dressed up for the daytime parades. Again we were headed to the nearby uptown parade route to check out Krewe of Iris and Krewe of Tucks. Now, let me let you in on a little secret. Boobs were not the key to the best pulls at the uptown parades; costumes and eye contact were! You have to make eye contact with someone on the float to get more than the standard set of beads and a great costume makes it so much easier. I can't recall how many times Dan, dressed as Buddy the Elf, or I, dressed as Snow White, were called out directly by Krewe members to hand us pulls and beads. As one float passed, I was handed a multiple beads with medallions (the goal), doubloons, a plunger (the prime pull for Krew of Tucks), Geaux cups and more. It was thrilling and overwhelming at the same time. Post parades we headed to Sucre for gelato, macaroons and chocolates and to Storyville to pick up t-shirts.
Saturday night we layed low after a full day of excursions to enjoy a great meal prepared by Matt and a party with all of Matt and Lorraine's friends. Matt made pork shoulder tacos with coleslaw and mac & cheese. It was da bomb. We also enjoyed some rousing games of beer pong and civil war (boys vs girls).
Finally, we came to the last day of our visit. Sunday morning we headed to brunch at Janelle and Andrew's house (friends of Matt and Lorraine) and then walked to the parade route for our last two parades before leaving for the airport. We were able to catch Krewe of Okeanos and Krewe of Mid-City before we had to say goodbye. Lorraine then whisked us away to the airport.
While it was good to be home and back in our own beds, I wish we had stayed longer! We are already looking forward to our next trip to NOLA! Miss this girl already!
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