All things LOVED in April

1. Blogging

Blogging is a lot like running/exercising to me.

It is the first thing to be cut out of my busy/hectic schedule, and you don't realize how much you miss it until you start it back up again. 

And you don't realize how hard it is to start back up again after you have been on a hiatus until you make that first move.

But nonetheless.. I'm happy to be back!

 

2. Southern Charm

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Did you watch this series on Bravo?

If you didn't, you happen to love the south, and you enjoy a good reality series.. I would HIGHLY recommend setting your DVR to catch an upcoming marathon.

It is one of those shows, I thought I would start watching and see if I got hooked or not.. and I didn't even have to wait for the first commercial break to know that I was going love Monday night TV!

I love the different personalities, and the lifestyle that this cast members live, and the little bit of drama the unfolds during the season... maybe its just a way for this Ohio girl to pretend like she lives in the south for an hour every week?  Either way, I certainly hope they bring it back for another season!

 

 

3. La Croix Berry Water

 

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I decided to try this when I walked by it on sale at the store one day.  I have heard that you either love it or hate it...

Fortunately for me, I absolutely LOVE it! I think it is beyond refreshing and something different to sip on throughout the day at work that is not a diet coke or water!

 

 

 

4.Lilly Pultizer Phone Case with Credit Card Slot

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I bought this case off of Rue La La a few weeks ago.  It is SO nice just to be able to grab my phone with my credit card and ID in it and go.  Whether its just running into the store to get something, or dropping it into a small clutch to carry for the night.  It makes everything that much more convenient.  And yes.. it certainly doesn't hurt that its a cute print too! 

 

 

 

5. Nomad Charger

 

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I received this as a gift, and it has come in handy quiet often.

This little gadget goes on your key chain (they also have one the size of a credit card) and as long as you have a USB port you can charge your phone.  Its nice to always have a charger with you wherever you may go.. as long as there is a USB port too!

 

Do you have anything new that you tried this month that you would suggest trying?

Or anything that you LOVE that you are willing to share?

 

Let me know - I'm always up for new products/items/food...

 

Happy almost May!

Call me a bandwagon fan...

... I don't care.

Sure, I've been to several Blue Jackets games in the last 14 years they have been in Columbus, but never have I been this into an entire season!

 

We started off the season slow (like always)

but have finished strong.

 

We made it to the playoffs for the second time in franchise history and the entire city is FINALLY supporting the team that we have had for so long!

 

We won the game last Wednesday in OT to tie up the series 2-2.

We knew we had 2 more games to play in the series at least.. which lead us to last night.

 

I NEVER get to the arena early.. hell, I rarely hear the star spangled banner

but last night was different.  I walked into Nationwide Arena at 6pm,

the energy inside was absolutely indescribable

music blaring, people every where, and a site I've never seen before for a hockey game

I had to pinch myself that we were still in Columbus, Ohio!

 

I watched practice and warm-ups for the first time ever

Listened to the entire star spangled banner

Watched the "WE ARE THE 5TH LINE" banner be raised with a lift

Felt the vibrations from the cannon being fired

and witnessed the puck being dropped on center ice at the start of the game.

There was not an empty seat in the entire arena - and it just gave me goose bumps to see so many people out supporting OUR team!

 

The atmosphere was awesome!

The first two periods were anything but easy to watch.

We couldn't pass to our teammates, we were getting penalties called against us left and right, their shot on goals were triple the amount of ours.

Needless to say, we were starting to get defeated... the guys looked tired.

We were down 4-0.. with a hat trick scored by the Penguins nonetheless.

 

I was hopeful that there was one HELL of a pep talk given to the team after the 2nd period.

I looked at my friends and said, well, we need a miracle... and if we come back from this, there could very easily be a Miracle 2 made!

 

We came out with a fight that I don't think I have ever seen the jackets have!

We scored 3 unanswered goals to put the game at 4-3, Penguins still on top.

We pulled our goalie with 2 minutes left to play in regulation,

(it was at this point that I think I forgot to breath for the rest of the game - HELLO intense!)

Maybe if we are 5 on 4 we have a chance, hell it worked at the end of game 3!

Unfortunately we had a few shots on goal in the last few minutes, but nothing that capitalized into a goal.

Unfortunately, this was the end of our playoffs

Unfortunately we have to wait until next year for hockey to be back....

 

....but more than anything

 

Fortunately, this city is now 100% believers in this team, and this sport, and this game!

The team saluting the fans at the end of the game!

 

I think these playoffs have made more people hockey fans, and some people bigger hockey fans than we ever imagined!

 

Thank you CBJ for a WONDERFUL end of the season, and a great run at the playoffs!

The city of Columbus, thanks you!

5 on Friday... Weekend Recap and a big announcement!

Happy Friday!!!

 

I've had quiet the busy last week, and I have been wanting to recap everything in a blog post.. but thought this would be the best way to do so!

So without further aideu.. here is my first 

5 on Friday

 

1. NOLA Wedding

I spent last Thursday- (very early) Saturday morning in New Orleans for one of my best friend's wedding.

 

2. Grace Lou's 1st Birthday Party

I left NOLA and flew into Dayton, Ohio so I could celebrate this little one's first birthday with her.

Earlier this fall, when Grace was only 5 months old, we came up the idea that I would make/plan all the decorations for the party.  I thoroughly enjoyed making the centerpieces, the door hanger and a few other things to go around the club house.

 

 

 

I love that I can still call these girls two of my closest friends even after we moved away from college and back to our hometowns!

 

3. My sister's BIG announcement

I'm going to be an AUNT!!!

I can't wait for this little peanut to get here already so I can spoil him/her rotten.

 

 

 

 4. Columbus Blue Jackets Playoffs

I admit - I'm a bit of a bandwagon fan on this one.. I've been to several games in the last 10 years, however I've never been more excited for hockey than I am right now.  The jackets are in the playoffs for only the second time, and this entire city is finally backing the team!

 

5. Another fun filled weekend

I'll be sure to be back next week - but I have a chamber event tonight and another out of town wedding on Saturday.  I'm looking forward to it all!

I feel like this spring has already flown by, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

 

An unconventional.. but practical Easter Basket

Do you ever get an idea in your head

and can't wait to conceptualize the entire thing?

 

That's exactly what happened when I saw chevron personalized placemats on Zulily back in early March.

 

I thought what a neat base for an unconventional Easter basket for both Molly (my Goddaughter) and her brother Domingo.

 

And then the fun of picking up small items to put on top of the placemat began.

A few items specific just for them

and others in their own individualized colors.

 

A little treat to both of them to let them know how much I love them!

 

 

So they each received coloring books, crayons, a light up squishy toy (its going to their house, not mine if it breaks! sorry Katie and Jason in advance if they break!), bubbles, mango/pineapple cups that I drew on to look like a little chick (thank you Pinterest), and a special little treat an Airplane for Domingo (once again.. sorry Katie and Jason), and Easter crafts for Molly.

(I fudged with this darn picture about 12 times and could not get it to rotate.. sorry.. this is the best I could get!)

 

Happy Easter Molly and Domingo!

 

Hope you all are having a great week :)

 

Weekend Wrap-Up

How is it Monday already?

Do you ever have weekends where its just go-go-go-go and then all of a sudden you look up and you realize its Sunday night at 10pm and your to-do list is STILL a mile long?

As much as I shake my head at my crazy day-to-day schedule, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

 

Saturday I had two 30^th birthday parties to attend.

(nothing like realizing you are the “old” friend in the group when people are still having 30^th birthday parties and you have since move on from 30 and are now the ripe age of 31.)

 

Both were catered with Mexican flare, one by Arepazo, a local latin restaurant, and one by Chipotle.  If you know me well enough, you know I can’t get enough rice, beans and guacamole in my life!

 

 

 

 

Love these girls!

 Sunday morning, I woke up (not quite early enough) to run a 15k at a local Lifestyle Mall, Easton.  I literally arrived at 8:07 and the race started at 8. 

I ran to the start line, and started running, with my arm band still in my hand, head phones around my neck and my shoes barely tied tight enough.  I get to the end of the first street to turn right, and the officer on the corner looked at me and had a short little embarrassing conversation:

Officer: Are you running in this?

L: Yes, I’m just a little tardy. (To his defense, I had on a running sweatshirt overtop of my running tank that had my bib safety pinned to it)

Officer: Okay, I’ll let them know that you are the tail

Let me tell you, I realize that there has to be a winner and someone that comes in last place in every event, and I also realize that I will never be the fastest runner at ANY event.. but I did not want to be the tail for the duration of this 15K.  That certainly motivated me to run a lot faster!

This race is the second one in this series that I have participated in.. and you can choose to run a 5K, 10K or a 15K.  Thankfully the 10 and the 15K are pretty much in line with the training schedule for the half marathon in a few weeks.   The only bad part about the race is you stay on the same course either 1, 2 or 3 times.  The WORST part about this race was running by Kate Spade.. not once, twice but THREE times and not being able to shop.  Pretty much torture if you ask me!

 Since we were already at Easton, we decided to stop and have breakfast at one of my FAVORITE  local places, Northstar.  It is all organic food and absolutely delicious.  Thankfully my sister was there to cheer me on, but also take my order as I was rounding the last corner.  I mean what more could you ask for.. a sister, cheerleader and a waitress! It was a perfect way to end the morning.

The rest of the day was spent at home working on some Easter decorations/crafts/DIY stuff!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I know I certainly did!

 

Hello, Hi, Hola, Bonjour...

Hi
Hola
Bonjour..


I don't know really know where to start this post.. its been a minute, okay 387 days to be exact, since I've last blogged... but its something that I have missed dearly in my life for the last few months.

I made a vow to myself at the beginning of the year, that I would start blogging again, and making it part of my weekly routine AGAIN... well now that I have treated myself to a new computer, I can finally start achieving part of my new years resolution.  (they aren't as hard to keep if you wait until the year is a 1/4 over to start them! think about it!)

So what has changed since I've last blogged?

• I started a new job, working for my family business which is a commercial printing company.   Although the humorous interview stories will be no longer, I can guarantee you that my new place of employment is not lacking comical moments! I'll be sure to share those with you still.
• My parents have moved out of the house they have lived for the past 20+ years, where I grew up for a majority of my childhood, and they are about to move into their dream home.
• I left my second job at the golf course.. which really means that I FINALLY have weekends! For the first time since April 2007 I have a chance to go for a long run on a Saturday, or I can make plans with friends for a Friday night...  I'm not so sure what to do with myself.

We've got a lot more catching up to do.. but we will do that in the future posts.

I've got a few posts planned for the near future... A few Make Me A Meal Mondays, fitness/workout posts, maybe a fashion post or two (eek! a WHOLE new side of blogging for me.. but life is all about taking risks? right?!) and then just every day life posts too!

So welcome back if you previously read my blog, and welcome, if your new! 

I promise to be a better blogger.. and be around more often!