It's my blogiversary! It's been one full year of hearing my joys, concerns, bitching and ranting. How are you holding up over there?
In my first blog post ever, I explained that I started Marissa says... as a source of therapy -- it was something to keep me occupied since I was no longer planning a wedding. It's really has been quite therapeutic, I feel like I've let you into my brain and heart. Sometimes, I feel a little vulnerable putting it all out there, but I always have received positive and encouraging words from family, friends and readers.
With that being said, I've learned a lot in this first year, so I've created another post for this here blogiversary: Tips for starting a personal or lifestyle blog
If you're considering starting a new blog, I shared some insider tips so that you don't make the same mistakes I did when starting out.
Year two of Marissa says... is going to be focused on continued growth. For the next year, I'm going to try and get more involved in the Philadelphia blogging community and expand my blogging network. I also want to continue to improve the caliber of my photography.
In year two, I have some homework for you too! Since I tend to post links to new posts on Facebook, a lot of time the discussion and feedback happens over there, which is cool. But if you can manage, I'd love for you to comment on the blog posts too!!! Tell me what you love, tell me what you hate, feel free to disagree with me (I love a healthy debate.) Did you try any recipes out? How'd they go?
I want to hear from youuuuuu.
As I celebrate the one year birthday of this here blog, I thought I'd provide some unsolicited advice to those of you that might be thinking about starting a blog. There are a few things I've learned along the way that might be useful in helping you avoid making the same mistakes that I've made!
Image credit: Felix Meyer
1. A surprise visit from my sister and her boyfriend on a random Wednesday night.
2. Middle of the night snuggles.
3. Spaghetti dinner with homemade garlic bread, since we rarely eat pasta or bread, this was an unbelievable treat.
4. Spending quality time with my family last weekend for Oktoberfest and laughing way too hard at Cards Against Humanity.
5. Catching a dude rocking out in his car...using actual drumsticks on his steering wheel.
6. Enjoying a quiet night to myself at home with a book and a cozy blanket (because BryGuy was out gallivanting with a friend.)
7. Finally, new episodes of How I Met Your Mother are available on Netflix!
8. A new apple pie candle (birthday present from the bro) that smells divine even when it's not lit.
9. Scoring a whole bunch of new clothes for the fall at Marshall's while in New York. It's so much easier to shop in suburbia!
10. Picking up some pumpkins and gourds at the market to add a little fall decor to our house.
Whenever I'm planning my meals for the week, I tend to think primarily about the main protein and how to mix that up, rather than side dishes to accompany it. I usually end up in a rut of just making a quick salad and a sweet potato to go along with it, but sometimes you just want something different! Peas sautéed in a little olive oil with crispy bacon and sweet onions, and then finished with a fresh squeeze of lemon is quick and easy, but a totally flavorful option -- and it works well with almost any protein!
It was another successful Collen Family Oktoberfest this past weekend (read about last year's party here). Although the drizzly weather caused the event to be a little smaller than usual, we had a great time playing lawn games and hammerschlagen, trying new beers, eating brats and franks, and spending quality time with friends and family. This year, we added a new feature to the festivities -- fireworks! The little kiddies were particularly impressed.
Image credit: Tanya Berestova
1. Not thinking I could do a particular workout at the gym (105 lb thrusters) and then totally killing it -- it felt especially good after having a week of workouts where I seemed to have no strength or energy.
2. The nice guy at the Green Street Cafe who is always so cheerful in the morning and serves up a delicious cup of joe.
3. Receiving a gorgeous leather jacket for my birthday from the marvelous BryGuy.
4. A sweet voicemail from my bestest gal pal across the ocean!
5. Discovering a new salad that I love at Honey Grow.
6. Feeling overwhelmed by the amount of birthday love received from new and old friends.
7. A new Top Chef season started on Wednesday and the cast looks really impressive!
8. Hearing the news that my little bro passed his driving test. Do you think he'll be my personal chauffeur this weekend? I hope so.
9. A catch-up lunch with former co-workers and the most delicious mussels from Monk's Cafe.
10. Listening to the barbell shrugged podcast on our drive to New York. Those guys really make me chuckle.
Stephen Starr's newest Philly restaurant, Serpico is receiving a flurry of positive attention lately (Review by Craig LaBan and Philly Mag Article) and I'm going to jump right on that bandwagon. Bry and I visited Serpico for a little birthday celebration.
We ordered almost everything on the menu. Not really, but we ordered a lot of food. And left in pure food-coma blissfulness. Upon first entrance it's a dimly lit room, the walls are decked out in subway tiles and giant chalkboards filled with beautifully written menus. We took a seat at the chef's counter so we could be on the front lines of all the happenings in the kitchen.
Yesterday, I rang in my 28th year of life! It was a marvelous day, that involved lots of love from family and friends via phone calls, texts, and Facebook notes, a few too many cocktails, and a feast of a dinner at a fabulous Philadelphia restaurant (a separate post on that meal to come shortly).
I'm not going to lie, 28 is a little scary. I still feel like I just barely turned 21, but I guess I'm supposed to act more grown up and mature now. Lots of people my age are getting married and starting families, and while I occasionally experience a little baby fever, the idea of having a real live one to call my very own is terrifying! It seems like 30 is just around the corner and while I don't really fear the idea of turning older, I think I was in denial about it actually happening.
What I really want to say is that I love my life at age 28. I have a wonderful husband, a career that I enjoy, family and friends that are supportive, and probably too much fun. I'm feeling really blessed and humbled by it all. I'm especially grateful for BryGuy, he keeps me young and smacks me when I'm being all girly about getting older. I knew I married a younger chap for a reason!
Also, in case you were wondering, my anti-aging secret is to eat one gold-plated apple a day. Oh, you don't have golden apples readily available? Too bad for you.
