Weekend Update - Last Weekend, That Is!

Since I was a little out-of-pocket last week, I decided to go ahead and do last week's Weekend Update before I get to all of my traveling adventures.  Because I took a few days off at the end of the week, my weekend officially began on Tuesday evening.  However, not much happened for the first few days other than running errands, packing and cleaning my house. 

THEN, on Saturday night, a few girlfriends and I threw Mickey and Kathleen a couples' shower at my house!  Because they are taking a honeymoon to Hawaii, we went with a Luau theme.  It was a great time, and they got some really cool gifts.  Here are a few pics of the decorations:

The Dessert Table

Some of the Food

This is a Cooler...Is that not the coolest thing EVER?

Gift Table - Before any gifts were added!  =)

Also, here are a few pics of the actual party:

Kathleen with all of the shower hosts:  Anna Catherine, Me, Andrea, and Jennifer

Kathleen with all of her Bridesmaids (except Elizabeth who lives in the Caymans):  Anna Catherine, Me, Andrea, Jennifer, Emily, and Jenny

Mickey and Kathleen with her mom and dad!

Mickey and Kathleen playing the shoe game (BTW, if you have ever host a couples' shower, you must play this game...it's pretty hilarious!)

Looks like they are both PUMPED about all of their kitchen gear!

 Sunday, was the day I had been waiting for for months.  Patrick and I left to head out on our trip!  It was a very LOOOOOOONNNNNNG day of traveling, but also the beginning of a super fun trip!  Stay tuned for more updates!




Project 365 -- Week 5

Sunday, May 15, 2011 -- Birthday Flowers from my Beau!

Monday, May 16, 2011 -- My New Favorite Seasoning

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 -- Let the Vacation Begin!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 -- Birthday Dinner with Patrick!

Thursday, May 19, 2011 -- Overpacking at its Finest!

Friday, May 20, 2011 -- Finally, a Clean Kitchen!

Saturday, May 21, 2011 -- Kat's Luau Shower

#17 & #24 -- DONE and DONE!!!!!

I am tired, exhausted, jet lagged, and sad for my trip to be over, but I couldn't go to bed tonight without crossing 2 big items off my 101 Things list!  Patrick and I had a wonderful trip and I can't wait to update everyone on all of our adventures.  Be on the lookout for daily posts in the coming days!

Hope everyone had an awesome Memorial Day, and I can't wait to catch up on all of your blogs!

Ipod Love

Yes, I realize that it's 2011...not 2001, but I just got my first Ipod!  In fact, a few weeks ago, this was me:

However, thanks to Patrick, I am now the proud owner of an Ipod Shuffle, and I love it!  I have only gone running with it once, but I seriously don't know how I ever exercised without it. 

Now I need your help!  The main reason I wanted an Ipod was for running, and I need more running approriate songs!  What songs are a MUST during your workouts?  Any help is greatly appreciated!

#65 -- DONE!!!!!

I'm so excited to get back into my 101 Things!  I can't believe how long it's been!

In October 2005, I made what I consider my first "big girl" purchase...a brand new car!  I loved that car so much, and I still do...but as the years went on, I became well aware of the car payment and what a big pain it was EVERY SINGLE MONTH!  Well, I am happy to say that I made my final car payment this week, and now that car is ALL MINE!!!!!  I surely hope I can drive it for several more years so I can save up some money for other, more fun items! 

Just before dropping it in the mail!

What I'm Loving Wednesdays!

What’s up ladies? It’s Wednesday and you know what that means…this week it means a lot more than usual because I am LOVING sooooooo many things this week:

1. I am loving that TODAY is the first day in my 2 week vacation from work! I really enjoy my job…really…I do, but I have been looking forward to this little sabbatical for quite some time and I intend to FULLY enjoy it!

2. I am loving that in exactly 4 days, my beau and I will be heading here:

Cannes, France

And here:

Florence, Italy

And here:

Rome, Italy

And here:

Barcelona, Spain

3. I am loving that this evening I will be enjoying a belated birthday dinner with my beau at Eastland Café…I’ve never been there, but I’m really excited to try it…and who knows, we may even use the Dairy Queen Birthday coupon I have for dessert. =)

4. I am NOT loving the weather here in Nashville this week (rainy and COLD); however, I am pretty excited that it’s finally supposed to be nice this weekend…just in time for Kathleen and Mickey’s Couples Shower that a few girls and I are throwing this Saturday!

5. I am loving that after a small lull during tax season, I have finally marked another item off my 101 Things list! Stayed tuned later in the week for an update!

What are you loving this week? Head over to Jamie’s blog and tell us all about it!

Weekend Update - Birthday Style!

I hope all of you had wonderful weekends! Mine was certainly fun! Friday night was pretty low key and spent running errands and preparing for Saturday’s main event!
On Saturday morning, I woke up bright and early and after receiving my annual “Happy Birthday; your Dad and I love you very much!” phone call from my mama, it was time to put the finishing touches on all my Steeplechase food! At approximately 7:15, Patrick, Alysia, Ed and myself were off to celebrate the running of the horses. I’m pretty sure our group of 35 people were the first people to arrive at Steeplechase because when our bus pulled up, I swear we were the only people in the entire place! After getting all of our gear (i.e. food and alcohol) set up, it was time to get to business and start having some fun! Here are a few pics from early on in the day:

Patrick and I posing for the camera!

Patrick and I posing for the camera!

Alysia and me!

Mary Katherine and I look like we called each other that morning!  We obviously are making polka dots cool!

After making sure we got plenty of pictures before the rain came, it was time to get down to business…yes, that’s right!  At Steeplechase, lots of alcohol is consumed:

Patrick made 120 (yes, I said 120!) Jell-O Shots! 

Not only is that an oversized chair, but it’s also an oversized flask and an oversized bottle of vodka!  You know what they say…go big or go home!

They even got me to take a shot or 2…after all, it WAS my birthday!  =)

All-in-all, it was a very fun day!  The bad weather/rain held out (for the most part) until around 3:00, when it got pretty cold and dreary and we all felt like this:

  Tired, wet, and ready to head home!  =)

That evening, after getting the car unloaded and changing into some warm, comfy clothes, Patrick gave me my birthday gifts (an Ipod Shuffle and some snazzy new sunglasses), and we headed to get Chinese takeout. I’m pretty sure we were both sound asleep on the couch by 9:00! Whew…partying isn’t as easy at 31 as it used to be!

On Sunday, after sleeping in and relaxing most of the day, we headed out to our first kickball game in a few weeks! Fortunately, the other team didn’t show up so we won by forfeit! Unfortunately, we all still headed out to the game and were ready to play! SOOOO, several of us decided to head to an early dinner instead!

It was a very fun weekend, but man was I pooped! The good news is that I only had 2 days of work this week, and now it’s VACATION time for this girl! Hope you all have a fantastic week!

Project 365–Week 4

Sunday, May 8, 2011 – Happy Mother’s Day!

Monday, May 9, 2011 – Travel Books Arrive!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 – Shellac Manicure Gone

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 – Finally Finished The Help!

Thursday, May 12, 2011 – Fresh Spring Closet

Friday, May 13, 2011 – All Packed for Steeplechase!

Saturday, May 14, 2011 – Bring on the Rain!

Off to the Races...

The horse races it is!  For anyone who lives around here, you are probably well aware that the 70th Running of the Iroquois Steeplechase will take place tomorrow at Percy Warner Park here in Nashville, TN.  For those who don't live in this area, this event is Nashville's much smaller version of the Kentucky Derby.  The best way I know to describe it is to say that it's an all day tailgate with lots of seersucker and sundresses. 

It's known by many people as Nashville's most fun day of the year.  AND, since tomorrow also happens to be my birthday, I definitely hope to make it a day to remember!  And, don't worry!  I'll be back on Monday with a Steeplechase themed Weekend Update!

In the meantime, I'll leave you with some of my favorite pictures from Steeplechase past:

Steeplechase 2006 -- Less than a month after moving to Nashville!

Steeplechase 2007 -- Definitely my favorite dress of them all!

Steeplechase 2008 -- I am in desperate need of a tan!!!!!  =)

Steeplechase 2010 -- Patrick's FIRST horserace!

Groupshot!

I even got to meet Jevon Kearse!

At the end of the day...too much sun and too much fun!

I'm sure this year's Steeplechase will be just as fun as the previous ones!  Keep your fingers crossed that there's no rain!  At least I have my rainboots ready to go!!!!!

Weekend Update!

Only one word describes this weekend -- FAMILY!  Friday night was spent driving to Strawberry Plains (a 3 hour drive from Nashville).  By the time I got through Nashville rush-hour traffic and made it home, there wasn't much time for anything else.

After sleeping in on Saturday morning, my mom and I headed out to do what we do best -- SHOP!  We headed to one of my Knoxville favorites - Sally's Alley.  For those of you who haven't checked this place out, you should definitely head there ASAP!  It's similar to a typical boutique, but without boutique prices!  I was able to rack up on some really good stuff.  Our next stop was the infamous West Town Mall.  Finally, we ended the trip at Old Navy.  After all this shopping and running around, I think I am finally fully stocked on everything I need for the cruise!

Saturday night, I met up with Andi at our favorite cuisine -- Japanese Food!  She and I love it and any time we get together, this is what we always eat!  It was so great being able to catch up with her and chat all evening!  I really wish we had more time to hang out, but I really enjoy the time we do have.

Sunday, was a day full of church and hanging out with the fam!  We ate BBQ for lunch and then laid by the pool to work on our tans!  Finally, it was time to head back to Nashville and get ready for the work week to begin.  It was a great weekend filled with family time, some early birthday celebrations for me, and lots of shopping!  What more can you ask for?