The Perfect Lake Vacation

I can't remember the last time I took a summer vacation. Usually my husband and I take a week-long early spring vacation (right when I've hit the peak of Seasonal Affective Disorder) and then we use the summer to do some long-weekend trips and whatnot. 

This year, however, we've really thrown all caution to the wind and planned not one, but TWO, week-long summer vacations. The first was during the Fourth of July holiday (last week) and it was absolutely glorious. While we weathered some tumultuous uhhh...weather on our way up to the Adirondacks, once we got there it was nothing but blue skies and sunshine. Seriously, we lucked out with the most amazing weather ever--seven continuous days of sunshine and boating! I realize that this likely means our August beach vacation will be laden with precipitation, but whatever, I'm still riding on the high of my last trip.

10 memorable moments from our third year of marriage

Happy 3rd anniversary to my one true love! It's hard to believe that it has been three years already since we said our vows and began our journey as husband and wife. It seems like just yesterday when we were running around in the rain on our wedding day. Three years goes by in a blink but at the same time, each year is filled with hundreds, if not thousands, of beautiful moments and memories, and I wouldn't trade them for the world. Here is just a list of 10 memorable moments with you in our third year of marriage. I hope you know how much I love you, because it's impossible to express in words. Without you, my life would be lonely and sad and full of trash and recyclables (because that's your thing) and the grass would be overgrown and the mailbox overflowing. See? I'm acutely aware of all the little and big things that you do for our family and I am thankful every day to have you. 

10. Hanging a new ceiling fan in the living room. Man, I know this seems like such a small accomplishment, but it was tough and it was frustrating and at points we almost killed each other. However, as a team we were able complete the task at hand, both picking up the slack and staying positive when the other was feeling frustrated, and because of that, we have a beautiful new fan and get to enjoy the outcome of our hard work every day. 

9. Our trip around the world (in Philadelphia) Rodin Museum, Pizzeria Vetri, High Tea at the Four Seasons, and dinner at Marrakesh with friends - it was an awesome way to celebrate my birthday and we got to try a bunch of new things in Philly that we've never done before. 

8. A camping trip in freezing cold weather. While I was a little anxious about doing this when the temperature in the Adirondacks were going to drop below freezing, I had such a wonderful time with you and our friends. There's nothing like a campfire, s'mores and an old school R&B sing-a-long to warm you right up. 

7. Witnessing the marriage of our wonderful friends in Charleston, South Carolina. It was so awesome to see the joy (and a few tears) on their faces and join with them in celebration. Charleston is definitely a special place and we'll have to get back there to see more of it. 

6. Our visit to Boston to see our friends and meet Baby Guy. This was such a special trip because we were able to celebrate new engagements, a healthy baby boy, and a baby on the way, plus Boston blessed us with unseasonably warm weather! 

5. Our winter weekend in Cape May. We have been talking about getting to Cape May in the off-season for a long time now and we finally did it. We had an amazing dinner, and witnessed a lot of inebriated people singing Christmas carols.

4. The long holiday break spent in New York. I loved that we both had an extended break of sorts at the end of December. While it was filled with some stressful moments it was also filled with a lot of laughter, joy and quality time spent with our families. 

3. Our family vacation in Cape May. It was awesome to have my parents there to help us with the baby and see all of the wonderful reasons why we've fallen in love with this quaint shore town. 

2. Buying our first home together. This was something that I could've never predicted would happen for us this year and I feel so blessed that we found this house and that all of the stars aligned for it to become ours. It's the perfect place for our family and I truly feel at peace coming home to that residence every day. 

*Drum roll please* And the number one memorable moment is..... 

1. The arrival of our little Lulu Bug. This one is pretty self-explanatory but it has been an amazing experience to bring a baby into this world with you. You were a wonderful husband and supporter during my pregnancy, a wonderful cheerleader during labor and you are an amazing father to her each and every day. 

I love you. Happy Anniversary! Cheers to three years of great memories and for many many more! 

You might also be interested in: 

• Wedding photos
• Happy Anniversary BryGuy - Year One
• Happy Anniversary My Love - Year Two

The birth story

So, I'm going to do my best to spare you all of the gory details, but I did want to get this down on paper (err...screen) so that I remember it myself. One of the most magical things about child birth is that we're scientifically wired to forget it... therefore ensuring that the human race goes on! Because otherwise, no one would sign up for that crap willingly again.

Just kidding! I was very blessed with a fast and relatively easy experience with my first baby, and no matter how difficult it could have been, I got the best present ever at the end of it all. My little Luisa Rose, Lulu, Bugsy, Lulu Bug, and all the other nicknames we're working on giving her, is the most perfect little baby in the whole wide world and I would go through hell and back to bring her into the world again. Read the brief birth story below.

Ten happy moments of the last two weeks

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Two posts in one day? What is the world coming to? It's called playing catch-up my friends... so here my ten happy moments from the last two weeks. 

1. Feeling Bugsy (that's the baby's name in utero) kick and move around like crazy this week. He/she is a dancin' machine just like his/her papa. 

2. A super fun birthday celebration with friends and my love. 

3. Feeling better after a week or so of feeling sick with a respiratory infection. That was no fun, but I'm finally able to sleep without hacking up a lung, so yay! 

4. An impromptu Sunday Funday two weekends back which meant delicious bbq and a house full of friends and kids, and I loved every minute of it!

5. The smell of fallen leaves. You wouldn't think it'd be a great smell, but it's one of the best smells!

6. Free coffee from DD after an Eagles' victory. I'm not an Eagles fan, but I sure as hell appreciate the free cup of coffee. 

7. The lobster roll from Oyster House. I mean this thing is just lobster roll perfection and totally worth every penny (although work paid for this one.) 

8. Seeing the movie Chef finally. This movie has been on my list, and honestly it was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. Plus, it made me really, really want a Cuban sandwich. 

9. I'm so happy with how the favors I made for a co-workers bridal shower luncheon turned out. I'll be sharing them with you on the blog next week so I won't spoil the surprise today. 

10. Getting to spend quality time with friends and family last weekend for a camping trip and Oktoberfest party. 

Ten happy moments of the week

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1. We took a quick weekend trip to Boston last weekend and got to catch up with friends that we haven't seen in forever! We had so many laughs and so many fun things to celebrate together.

2. Meeting a sweet and beautiful baby for the first time (of said friends in Boston.)

3. I cooked one of my favorite meals in the whole world this week and it was awesome -- roast chicken with lemon and potatoes and a loaf of Italian bread to dip in all the chicken fat/lemon/garlic sauciness on to bottom of the roasting pan. Hells yes.

4. A relaxing drive back to New York.

5. My best buddy is in town from Egypt and I can't wait to see her beautiful face!!!

6. A kale salad that was so tasty and easy to make, plus it lasted two days in the fridge already dressed!

7. The easiest and most pleasant trip to the DMV in the history of the world. I was in and out in 10 minutes and everyone there was so nice, is this real life?!

8. Feeling baby kicks and movement much more frequently these days. Baby is a morning person right now, so unlike his/her mama.

9. The Giants finally deciding to show up and play some football these past two weeks :)

10. Welcome home greetings from the best brown dog in all the land.

Ten happy moments of the week

Photo by Fridas Fina

1. Last night, Bry suggested that we skip the gym and head to the Mt. Airy Street Fare. It was a beautiful night and I was crazy sore from the last two days at the gym so I figure, what the heck? It turned out to be a really fun time. We ate some delicious food, listened to some good music and got a taste of how cool Mt. Airy is. Stay tuned for a separate post on the event next week. 

2. Dan dan noodles from Han Dynasty - hot or cold they are amazing. 

3. Not having to run the air conditioner in our bedroom at night anymore. While I love a nice chilly room to sleep in, I cannot stand the noise of a running window AC unit. I'm so happy these nights are cooler and it's been comfortable enough to just sleep with the ceiling fan going. 

4. Cappuccino and a chocolate croissant. Once a week I splurge on a frothy cappuccino and a chocolate croissant from the bakery across the street from my office. I take my time eating that flaky pastry and sipping my delicious drink and I feel transported back to Italy for just a few moments. 

5. A rainy day that turned into a less rainy day for our annual Phillies tailgate with folks from the gym. 

6. No more hangovers. While I'll admit that I miss the social aspect of drinking with friends, I don't miss the debilitating morning headaches. 

7. Cuddle sessions with some of my favorite babies this week. I spent some time on Friday and Sunday with my main man Leo and the beautiful Violet, then I got in some good bonding time on Wednesday night with Julia (aka The Chubbiest Baby on the Block.) 

8. Girls night game night. As you can imagine, we didn't get much game playing done because we were busy talking and laughing but it was still so much fun. 

9. Feeling a little motivation to get moving on the baby nursery. I posted my inspiration items yesterday and think that over the next few weeks I'll start to pick up some things and start the clean-out process. Is this called nesting? 

10. Ribs. BryGuy used his smoker for the first time last weekend and made some really delicious ribs. I think he'll be doing a little guest blog here next week about the process, stay tuned. 

Ten happy moments of the week

Photo by Kevin van der Leek

1. Surviving the Made in America festival for the third year. Of course when we purchased our tickets, I didn't know that I'd be all kinds of pregnant come the festival. But I was determined to go for my third and final year. It was a slightly different experience being stone cold sober, but I'm proud to report that I made it through two days of craziness, and had some fun in the process. 

2. A beautiful day of stand up paddle boarding and a picnic with friends for Labor Day. Plus, we discovered an awesome park with some gorgeous camping sites a big pool and a lake for activities. I have a feeling we will be back next year!

3. Enjoying some delicious sandwiches and crepes from Cafe L'Aube, if you've never been, I highly recommend that you try it. The staff is wonderful and the food is awesome - must order: croque monsieur deluxe.

4. Getting to the gym this week. Sometimes it's so easy to make excuses not to go, especially when I'm hot and tired but going always makes me feel good and gives me a boost of energy. 

5. Short work weeks. Summer is over in my mind (I know, the calendar says it's not over until Sept 21 or whatever) but for me, summer runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, that's just how it is. So, this week was particularly hard because it means that my life will no longer consist of weekends at the beach. But luckily, every year we get blessed with a four day week to ring in the new season. 

6. Hearing the excitement from my parents as they both start their final school year before retirement. Although personally, they've been living like retirees for years, boating, vacationing, partying on the regular, come June, it will all be official. No more bratty kids (except the ones you gave birth to.) 

7. The start of football. While I'm not particularly happy that sports commentary seems to be all Bry wants to watch on TV and listen to on the radio these days, I am excited for epic Sunday Fundays with friends per our annual football season tradition. 

8. Maternity pants. I bit the bullet. I bought some pants with a wonderful elastic waistband and my life is forever changed. I can still fit into my pre-preggo pants, but they are definitely not feeling the most comfortable on my stomach these days. So, I figured it was time to find some pants that I could wear to work without cutting off my circulation. They are amazing, I might never go back. 

9. Getting to see a lot of friends in one place at one time. There were a bunch of folks in town last weekend for MIA and it was just so nice to get together with everyone and catch up. 

10. Having a glutenous lunch date with my lover boy. Happy Friday!

Ten happy moments of the week

Photo by J. Astra Brinkmann

1. Zucchini noodles! I finally invested in a vegetable spiralizer this week and made some zucchini noodles for the first time. I was really surprised at how much I like them and also, how filling they were. Recipe and photos coming soon.

2. I'm filled with all kinds of big sister pride (as well as feeling insanely old at the same time) as my lil brother started his first week of college on Monday. 

3. Productivity levels at an all-time high this week. The house is clean, the laundry is done, my desk at work is clean and my to-do list much shorter. For whatever reason, this week I was on top of my game and that's a good feeling because I can't remember the last time that happened.

4. Cool mornings that require a light jacket or sweater. Pretty pretty please can this gorgeous non-humid weather stick around forever?! Bahaha nope, this weekend is going to be hot and sticky. Just in time for the Made in America Festival. 

5. Getting in a visit to the Spruce Street Harbor Park before they closed for the season (and then finding out that they were staying open for the rest of the month!)

6. Finally eating a lobster roll. 

7. Finding things to wear for MIA! I'm going to be honest, I have a bit of anxiety about attending the festival this year. For one, at four months pregnant I'm not sure how much energy or tolerance I will have for the whole thing. Second, at this stage that just looks like I'm eating too many cookies, it's challenging to find clothes that I feel good in... well low and behold, I found a couple of options that are comfortable and don't make me feel like a whale. If you're still stuck on what to wear, check out my MIA Style Guides for this year and last year. 

8. I finally downloaded the WhatsApp app and now I'm able to text my boo-thing in Egypt all day err day. Welcome to the 2014, Marissa. 

9. Pumpkin oatmeal for breakfast. I know, I'm jumping the gun on the whole pumpkin thing, but honestly, this oatmeal I've been making and bring to work every day is delicious, easy to grab-and-go, and so filling!

10. Getting all caught up on The Leftovers, I honestly don't know what to make of the show but it does kind of hook you in. This past Sunday's episode was by far my favorite. 

Ten happy moments of the week

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1. Alpacas. I got to see some real live furry alpacas at a farm in Cape May last weekend and it was a dream come true! I don't know why, but I'm totally obsessed with these weird creatures -- they had lots of personality and crazy hair.

2. Celebrating Bry's birthday at the beach per usual. This has become our tradition over the last three years and this year we couldn't have asked for better weather.

3. Safe travels to and from Cincinnati for a work trip. Also, it made me incredibly grateful that I don't have to travel more for work, it's stressful and exhausting!

4. Holy crap, was this morning not just the most perfect and beautiful morning ever?! It was one of those mornings that feels like "back to school" weather but then it warms up to like 80 during the day. If I could take this day and experience it for 365 days out of the year that would be fabulous.

5. Never having to go "back to school" again.

6. Seeing Bry's face today when he heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time. He told the doctor it sounds like the baby's swimming in there, to which the doc responded "well, it kind of is..."

7. Josh is coming to visit us! I feel like I haven't seen that guy in forever (even though it's only been about 3 months or so) but I sure am glad to get a weekend with him.

8. Johnny Rockets chocolate milkshakes. I may have indulged in a little treat at the Chicago airport (yes, I flew PAST Cincinnati first...) and boy was it awesome.

9. Shark week. Sharks are so cool, although I'm less interested in the science-y stuff and more interested in the attacks.

10. I watched The Other Woman on one of my plane rides and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. I'm a sucker for Leslie Mann, Cameron Diaz is always dressed impeccably in her movies, and Kate Upton is a hottie. Plus, Jaime Lannister, yum.

Ten happy moments of the week

Photo by Jackchen Design

1. A school night sleepover with one of my besties and staying up talking until way past my bed time. 

2. A sale at ACME on Quaker Oatmeal Squares cereal. Have you had this stuff? It's amazing. I know, I know, cereal is the devil --well baby likes it, so shut your mouth.

3. A trip home last weekend that was full of so many happy moments, all you can eat sushi with my sis, my father in law's retirement party, and lots of quality time with the fam. 

4. Meeting my girlfriend's week old baby boy, Keegan. He's such a little cuddle bug and I got some diaper changing and bottle feeding practice. Let's do this parenting thing, I'm totally ready...not!  

5. Getting my Crossfit Games workout on. Did you watch the games at all? They were a lot of fun to watch this year and this week we did the final workout, Double Grace (60 clean and jerks for time.) It was brutal, but I channeled my inner Annie Thorisdottir and finished with a smile. Bahaha if you've ever seen me work out you'd know that's a lie. 

6. This weather. Cooler nights and bright sunny days, now that's what I'm talkin' bout!

7. Binge watching Tyrant, have you seen it? The acting is not the best, but I'm hooked. This week's episode was bananas. They have about six episodes available on-demand so try it out and let me know what you think!

8. Hearing baby's heartbeat and seeing its weird little face via ultrasound. As I mentioned in my previous post, this part of pregnancy is rather boring, and sometimes I wonder if the little bugger is still doing well in there. It's always a welcome relief to hear the rapid beats during my appointments. 

9. BryGuy. He's just the best for so many reasons. This week he was an exceptional friend and I'm just reminded how lucky I am to have him. Plus, the other day at the gym he was doing shirtless L-sit pull ups and damn, that was hot! 

10. Popsicles. I forgot how much I love them, especially the whole fruit strawberry and coconut ones. Sometimes all I want at night is something really cold and fruity and they totally hit the spot. 

Happy moments of the week

Photo by SimplyChelsetta on Flickr

1. Finally getting all of my herbs planted! 

2. Having a fun night playing classic college drinking games, witnessing a soda stream explosion and hanging out by the fire pit with some of my favorite people in the whole world! 

3. Seeing the bottom of the hamper for the first time in months. It's so hard to keep up with laundry sometimes, but feels so good when all of your belongings are finally clean!

4. Sunday brunchin' and thriftin'. I picked up a Waterford crystal ring holder for like $15 bucks, normally $65 or more. Plus, I got to try on some bomb ass fur coats. 

5. Any movie starring Liam Neeson. Such as Non-Stop, in which Liam essentially plays exactly the same character he plays in the Taken series. But I'm not complaining. Taken 3 comes out next year, I wonder who gets taken this time? He's running out of family members...

6. Scoring free Dunkin' coffee thanks go a generous co-worker sharing her coupons. 

7. I'm BEYOND excited to head to New York today and see my lil' bro graduate high school and then party with my fam at a lake house in the Adirondacks. GO DACKS!

8. Getting my paws on these adorable vans, not only are the comfortable but they are basically the cutest shoes to have ever lived. 

9. Hanging out in the conference room with co-workers for a few hours while cheering on the US during the US vs. Germany World Cup game. 

10. Catching up with a former co-worker over sushi. Sushi dates are the best.  

Ten happy moments of the week

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Gosh, I am the worst. Sorry for sucking at my weekly happy moments. Here are 11, just to make it up to you. 

1. Spending a few days last weekend with our parents and siblings in New York. We attended a wedding where we totally dominated the dance floor and we had the most perfect Father's Day brunch on Sunday. 

2. Seeing our most favorite wedding photographers, the dynamic husband and wife duo, Bailly Photography at said wedding. 

3. Feeling super energized this week. I was totally dragging last weekend, it was probably the lousy rainy weather, but this week has been SO much better.

4. Walking down the street the other day and hearing someone in their car blasting old Boyz II Men jams.

5. Finally hitting over 100,000 page views on this humble little blog here. The growth has been slow and steady and I'm so happy for that. Please please please let me know if there's anything you specifically want to see more or less of on Marissa says...!

6. Iced coffee after lunch on an insanely hot and sunny day. It's the bomb dot com.

7. Scoring a crazy cheap pair of black pants for work at TJ Maxx. I have the hardest time finding pants for work, especially ones that are black or navy. 

8. Having an impromptu weeknight dinner with one of my favorite pals, Ms. Ana Lee. She also shared a top-secret "recipe" for amazing carnitas tacos. If you're lucky, I might just share it with you too.

9. Tying up the loose ends on a project at work that I've been stalling on for a while now. Sometimes you just have to sit down and focus, and it ends up being even easier than you thought. 

10. The deliciously sweet scent of peaches and nectarines! I cannot go into the grocery store without stocking up on some of these perfectly ripe treats. 

11. Brainstorming a potential new business venture over cocktails, called, The Wedding Turn Up Crew. If you're worried about your wedding being a bit of a dud, hire the WTUC to make sure even your granny busts some moves on the dance floor. 

Ten happy moments of the week

Photo by Jessica Cangiano of Piccolina Photography

1. I got in touch with my inner child over the weekend. I did handstands and cartwheels and round-offs, I can't remember the last time I did that. Also, I may have stole a pineapple, but that's a story for another day.  

2. Getting to see one of my best friends in the whole world on Saturday for her baby shower. She is going to have a baby boy in July and I'm so excited to have a new little nephew in this world. She is glowing and gorgeous and fills me in on all the weird details of pregnancy.

3. Visiting my family and playing the most amazing game of Salad Bowl (like Celebrity, but slightly different.) My dad has some serious acting chops. Next time you see him, you should ask him to act out Rachael Ray or a roller coaster, trust me, it's priceless. 

4. It was amazing to watch my friends from the gym compete in the CrossFit Mid Atlantic Regionals last weekend. They totally impressed me. It was just so nice to see all of their hard work and dedication pay off and they made me so proud to be a part of the CFMY community. 

5. This Embrace Kickstarter Campaign. If you haven't seen it, you should, and you should consider donating. Wouldn't it be a happier world if more people embraced and loved their bodies exactly as they are?!

6. So excited to have a movie date night with BryGuy tonight. 

7. Spontaneous trips to Cape May, New Jersey. It was the best way to start summer and end our Memorial Day Weekend. 

8. Chatting with a cute little kid in the elevator at work about his awesome bug collection. Fake bugs, thank goodness.  

9. Getting in a great workout with my favorite workout partna' this week. We're competing together tomorrow and this girl always pushes me, somehow she makes working out kind of fun :) 

10. Iced coffee. It's finally necessary. 

Ten happy moments of the week

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Happy MDW lovers and friends!!! It's finally here, the unofficial kick-off weekend to Summer 2014. I hope you have a fantastic awesome long weekend! I have so many things to be happy for, but I can only list ten, so here you go:

1. I feel unbelievable amounts of mama pride (or what I imagine it would feel like if I were a mama) seeing my friends and fellow athletes compete at the CrossFit Mid-Atlantic Regionals! Although, I wish I was there in the stands cheering them on (and more importantly, celebrating with them in the evening,) believe me, I'm screaming just as loud at my computer. I also love that they are streaming the workouts live so I can pretend I'm there! 

2. Great stuff is happening at work these days. As we wind down on the crazy spring event schedule, the atmosphere at work gets a little more relaxed. 

3. Enjoying a fun night of barbecue, fire pits and hanging out with some of my nearest and dearest last weekend. 

4. Being a part of this photo shoot. 

5. Three cheers for having a super fast week. Sometimes weeks just drag on and on, and this one flew by for whatever reason. 

6. Getting to the gym, even when I really wasn't feeling it on Thursday. It ended up being a really good and really fun workout that concluded with running sprints in the pouring rain. 

7. The Made in America Festival line up was released this week and it looks awesome, per usual. I'm excited for Pharrell, Kings of Leon and of course, Kanye

8. Having a random movie night with BryGuy on a Wednesday, complete with homemade truffle butter popcorn. Plus, Monuments Men was really good! 

9. I'm looking forward to a road trip up to NY to visit family and friends this weekend, car rides with Bry are the best!

10. Despite craving a big juicy burger topped with bacon, cheese, fried onions and pickles, I demonstrated an ounce of willpower this week and did not give into my craving. *Pats self on back*

Ten happy moments of the week

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1. My business cards for this here blog finally arrived and they are so pretty! I can't wait to share.

2. We had a lovely visit from my bro-in-law, Josh, this weekend. First, we got a little crazy at a house warming party and then we enjoyed a little Funday Sunday the next day! It's always a good time when Josh is in town!

3. What a great episode of Game of Thrones on Sunday? I am on the edge of my seat about where this Tyrion Lannister plot line is headed.

4. I whipped up a quick stir fry this week and it came out so good. I always forget how easy it is to make and it can be made in one pan. I really need to keep that on my go-to list for easy dinners.

5. The sound of kids playing outside after school. I forgot how comforting a noise that is to hear laughter and screaming and crying from the little neighborhood kids when the weather is nice and they're running around the streets.

6. Finally beating a level in Candy Crush that was so infuriating, I was ready to quit. On to the next!

7. Hanging with my crew in the art department and practicing our party tricks - one-legged squats, headstands, and other random talents.

8. A haircut that was soooo long overdue it was borderline embarrassing. But, I got a fresh cut and I feel like a new women. I'm totally ready for beachy summer hair. Cape May and Ocean City -- here I come!

9. Having a great and responsive landlord. They are few and far between and we are so lucky to have someone that's always willing to help us out and is beyond generous. 

10. A green backyard. The "lawn" (and I use that term loosely) in our backyard has always been my pet project, I want it lush and soft and something you could walk on in your bare feet. It's not that yet, but it's getting there. It looks a million times better than last year, so that's deserving of a happy moment shout out. 

Ten happy moments of the week

Image credit: Found on Pinterest, original source unknown. If you know the original source of this image or own rights to it, please let me know and I’ll credit/remove as appropriate.

I'm slackin' yo. I missed happy moments last week and didn't even realize it! I wish I could say that I have 20 happy things to get you up to speed, but ain't nobody got time for that. So here's the list of ten...

1. I hit a new PR (personal record) on one of my lifts (the snatch) yesterday! I got to 115# (my previous PR was 110 and that was last summer) and to tell you the truth, it felt pretty good...I think I can do more :) I understand that to most of you this sounds like gibberish, but to those of you that know what I'm taking about, this is a MAJOR happy moment. 

2. A week of mostly healthy eating. I'm a bit unhappy with my physique these days, basically because I was eating like garbage and drinking like a fish all winter long, so now it's time to reverse some of those unhealthy habits and get bikini ready! 

3. Getting lots of sleep. I don't know what it was about this week, but BryGuy and I were SO tired. We kept getting into bed by 10 p.m. a full hour before our usual time, and we both were passing out pretty quick. I guess it was much needed and I certainly feel more refreshed. 

4. Thunderstorms. Loud scary thunderstorms. I love them. They remind me of summer and sitting on the porch of my parent's house. 

5. Receiving an awesome new coffee mug from my favorite lil babe. I am loving all that I'm learning about photography, and still have so much to learn, but it's awesome to have a super cute subject that just loves to have his picture taken. 

6. Going on a hiking adventure with my lover boy, and then visiting an awesome farm. 

7. Excellent service on an annoying car issue. Last weekend, I was making a quick run to the grocery store for some lemons (to make a whiskey smash.) As I pulled my car out of its spot, my tire popped. I called up AAA because listen, that's why I pay for it, so I don't have to get my hands dirty and change my own tire. Within a half hour they were there, and five minutes later I had my fresh spare on. The next morning I brought my car over to our local tire shop and they found me a great deal on two new tires and the next day I had my car back. For something that could have been super annoying and stressful, it was a pretty painless process. Thanks AAA and the nice folks over at Gabriel John Goodyear and special thanks to my patient husband for letting me use his AAA membership because mine was expired, and for driving me back and forth to drop off and pick up the car. He's really a saint. 

8. Wedges. Wearing sandals to work for the first time this year makes me so happy. But I really need to paint my toes this weekend...

9. Trying raw milk for the first time. It's so rich and creamy and I don't know how I'm going to be able to go back to pasteurized milk.

10. Game of Thrones being back. I know I said this before, and it will probably make my "ten happy things" list for the next eight weeks, (or however long the season is) because every Sunday I get so excited to watch it and then so sad when the credits roll.

Ten happy moments of the week

1. Grilling outside for the first time this year! Bry loves to grill and he's really good at it, so in the summer we try to cook outside at least twice a week. This week he made his famous skirt steak with chimichurri sauce. 

2. This video of people interviewing for the world's toughest job. 

3. Spring cleaning. I spent this week getting my house in order and it feels really good to have everything looking so fresh and so clean clean. 

4. On Wednesday night, I went to a comedy show featuring Godfrey -- that dude is so funny, I could not stop laughing. 

5. We had a few fancy events last weekend -- a gala one night (a work event) and then a wedding the next night. It was a lot of fun to get dressed up two nights in a row and dance the night away. My friend's wedding on Saturday night was so beautiful and she and her husband are so in love -- I'm honored that we were able to share in their special day.

6. I don't think it needs to be said, but the 80 degree weather last weekend was the happiest thing ever. Checking out the Manayunk StrEAT food festival was awesome and having a little brunch at Taqueria Feliz made my day. 

7. My parents and bro are coming to Philly and hanging with us for a few days, and I've got loads of fun activities planned for them.

8. Doing a photo shoot with this handsome little lad, he was adorable and perfect and he makes me so happy. Plus, I finally put together some info about photography packages on my site. 

9. Even though I've felt a little under the weather this week, I made a point of still getting to the gym. I might have to move a little slower than usual, but I'm just happy I got in a few workouts.

10. Beautiful flowers in my house this week because I stole them from our fancy events last weekend. Bry liked them too, and made a point of saying he's going to buy me more flowers :) Awww

Ten happy moments of the week

Image credit: Found on Pinterest, original source unknown. If you know the original source of this image or own rights to it, please let me know and I’ll credit/remove as appropriate.

I'm going to be honest, it was hard coming up with ten happy moments this week. At least happy moments happened, but I probably wasn't paying attention when they did and then it makes it that much more difficult to think them up later. My point being, it's not always easy to write this list. Sometimes I have tough weeks, busy weeks, or stressful weeks, but I'm certain that ten good things happen each week and I should take a moment to think about them and reflect on them. 

1. Getting to meet my friend's beautiful new baby yesterday! You might remember her from these CrossFit Maternity photos but she has a perfect and healthy baby boy now and both mama and the little one are doing great!

2. Having an impromptu Taco Tuesday at Taqueria Feliz with good friends after a tough workout! 

3. A lazy Sunday relaxing at home with BryGuy. We watched movies and spent time catching up on laundry and straightening the house up. Sometimes you just need a lazy day at home. 

4. Despite the rainy weather this week, I really loved being able to just throw on a trench and head off for my day. Shall I dare suggest that it's time to pack up the winter coats? 

5. Getting to try Federal Donuts for the first time last weekend. It was glorious. 

6. Trying out new fun nail polish colors (I know. So girly.) But really I always hesitated to do anything really funky on my nails because I didn't think it was professional, but these days I think it's definitely more acceptable and it 

7. We're heading to New York this weekend to visit our families and I'm extra excited to find out that my good friend is going to be in town unexpectedly. 

8. Visiting the 2 St. Gym last weekend for the first time and watching both the new and experienced athletes take on a super challenging workout. 

9. Listening to Neal Brennan stand-up, he makes my tummy hurt from laughing so hard. 

10. Seeing two little purple flower buds on the side of the street. They were so cute and so alone among all of the brown dull surroundings. I can't wait for everything to be green and in bloom, and apparently it's just around the corner. 

Ten happy moments of the week

Image credit: Found on Pinterest, original source unknown. If you know the original source of this image or own rights to it, please let me know and I’ll credit/remove as appropriate.

1. Getting to have a nice long phone call with one of my longest friends who lives back in New York. She and her husband are expecting their first baby in July and I just loved hearing about all the developments and surprises of being pregnant for the first time.

2. The first outdoor fire of the year! I headed over to a friends house last Saturday to watch some NCAA tournament games and I didn't end up watching basketball but I did end up playing a lot of drinking games and then passing our in her guest room. Plus, the stuffed mushrooms I brought over were a big hit!

3. Hungover Sunday mornings. I love sitting around with a group of people that are all feeling a bit hungover and reminiscing about the funny things that happened the night before. 

4. Hearing that the last workout of the CrossFit Open is actually something I'll be able to complete!

5. This ad which makes me chuckle every time.

6. The dud of a snow storm we had this week, I'm so happy it turned out to be nothing. I can't take another one, I really can't. *Your hear me Mother Nature?!? I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE*

7. A semi-formal dinner party with friends. I always had the idea of setting my dining table with place mats, wine glasses and candles and really having a nice sit-down dinner with people, but I've never really done it until last weekend. Plus, I made this Hawaiian Pork and it was so tasty.

8. Discovering a gourmet popcorn store near my work -- which is really a blessing and a curse. I'm going to try and bring my camera there next week to give you the inside scoop.

9. Busy work days. Although it has been a hectic week of events and lots of work to get done, I always prefer having a lot to do over having a little to do. Deadlines are a procrastinator's best friend!

10. HGTV - if there's nothing on television I can always count on HGTV to be there for me. Even though I have a tendency to yell at every couple on House Hunters... "It's just paint, you can paint over it! Why are you complaining about something you can easily change, you imbeciles!"

Ten happy moments of the week

Photo by Bloomographie

1. A meal this week at Jose Enrique in Puerto Rico made it's way onto the top five meals of my life list. It was amazing!

2. This Honey Maid commercial made my week. I don't typically buy graham crackers, except for the occasional s'mores party, but I might just have to go and buy all the Honey Maids in the grocery store to show my support for more commercials like this!

3. American-style coffee. Don't get me wrong, I love Spanish coffee with its frothy steamed milk, but stopping off for a French vanilla coffee at DDs on my ride back from the airport was so yummy.

4. Lemon, chicken, and rice soup. I have been making this weekly to get through the frigid winter and I'm surprised I haven't gotten totally sick of it yet. Recipe coming soon.

5. Sleeping in my own bed. Our bedroom is a total sanctuary and it makes me feel calm and relaxed and my bed is the most comfortable place in the world. And believe it or not Puerto Rico is crazy loud compared to Philly, so I have definitely been sleeping better these past few nights.

6. Having tan lines again. It's so nice that my skin is no longer translucent. Hopefully, my sun-kissed skin sticks with me for a couple of months until I can get back on the beach. 

7. Spending some quality time with our iguana friend while on vacation. I really miss the little guy and Bry and I have been toying with the idea of getting a pet over the past few days. 

8. Feeling so mushy and lovey and blessed. I thought I would feel a little sad when I got back from vacation, and while I miss the beach, mostly I've been feeling lucky. I'm lucky that I married the wonderful man that I did, lucky that we have the means to travel to beautiful places, and lucky that we have families that love and support us and would do anything for us. 

9. Getting back to the gym. While the first workout was rough after a full week of indulgence, it felt good to get my body moving again. 

10. Starting to plan out the summer. I know it's a ways away still but it's nice to know we have our Cape May weekends booked, and my brother's high school graduation followed by a family trip to the lake for some boating action, and a few weddings. There's a lot of fun stuff coming up and I'm looking forward to it all!