before and after | technology

before

after

I've been in desperate need of an upgrade when it comes to my computer. I've had my reliable MacBook for more than five years. And at the rate technology changes these days, some of our newer technology wasn't talking to my good ol' MacBook.

Now that I have a new MacBook Pro, all is right with the world.

a deal on date {or any} night

Have I ever mentioned that I'm obsessed with getting a great deal? If I haven't disclosed this bit of information outright, I'll say it now. I love finding something I want/need/never knew I needed until this very moment for a steal.

Suffice it to say, I'm also obsessed with websites like Groupon, Haute Look and Gilt Groupe. You can buy great stuff, experiences, getaways {I recently picked up rooms at a boutique hotel for a song} at insansely discounted prices.

Today, another website that is growing in popularity - Living Social - is offering a $10 worth of food and beverages at one of Mark's and my favorites : Fuego Taco {remember our recent date night?}.

a little something extra : both Groupon and Living Social have apps for your smart phone. They make it dangerously easy to purchase mindlessly. Just a little word of caution.

a "b" or a "d"

I have very few gold accessories, but lately I've found myself being drawn to gold pieces. An armful of gold bangles, simple gold hoops and this letterpress necklace have recently joined my collection.

I love initial necklaces, too {remember this one?}. I think it has something to do with the fact that I love words and letters in general. So it's perfect - delicate and simple. I've been wearing it non-stop for the past few days. I have a tendancy to play with my jewelry, and when I press the charm into my finger, it makes an impression of the letter "d." {It didn't photograph too well.}

Is it a "b" or a "d"? Properly, the letterpress letter is a "d," but on my neck it looks like a "b." Then I realized it won't matter soon, because in a few short weeks, both will be my initials.

weekend plans

I cannot wait for this weekend.

It's been a loooooooooong week filled with projects for work, less sleep than usual and absolutely no time for new fitness obsession - CrossFit {remember when I mentioned my rowing teammates and I visited a CrossFit gym in Tucson? I thought it looked scary, and the workouts are, but isn't the point of life to do something that scares you so you can grow?}.

So in honor of finishing up the week in one piece, I'm celebrating by doing {almost} nothing. Tonight I get to hang out with this cutie-pie - and her mom, of course - for a low-key, at-home dinner and a movie.

 

Tomorrow, I get to visit with one of my favorite people and celebrate the fact she just learned she's having a little girl of her own. We'll be heading to Caffe Boa for a yummy brunch. Then in the afternoon, I'll be making my way to the spa for a relaxing 90-minute massage.

Sunday, I have absolutely. no. plans. Hooray! Can you feel my excitement?

What are you doing this weekend?

le shower

Saturday, my bridesmaids threw me the most amazing shower. It took exactly three minutes before I was overwhelmed with emotion and got a little misty. Thankfully, I quickly recovered and had an amazing time.

  my very own parisian cafe, complete with french tunes 



each table had an eiffle tower candle and a french phrase related to love and marriage

some of my favorite photos on display

no shower would be complete without bonbons {there was even an amazing selection of macarons!}

pink lemonade, champagne and mimosas

three generations

a big, beautiful bouquet with love notes from my fiance

"french kiss" favors {sorry, no puppies in pink berets}

Thank you to all my wonderful friends and family for making my shower so amazingly special! And a special thanks to the Mills' {especially Chris} for letting a bunch of women take over the house. And to the photographer for the day - Mrs. Stephanie Gillingham - thank you for capturing the moments I'll treasure forever.

Love you all!

breakfast surprise

Mark loves to sleep in on weekends, so imagine my surprise to find him bright-eyed and bush-tailed at 6:45, asking me to join him for breakfast.

before and after | bathroom drawer

I don't know about you, but there is a drawer in my bathroom that is a catch-all. Bobby pins, hair ties, brushes, lipgloss, mini lotions, bandaids - they're all tossed in the drawer haphazardly.

A couple of days ago, I was searching for a lipgloss and was so frustrated when I couldn't find the color I wanted {turns out, it wasn't even in the drawer - woops}. So on a recent trip to Target, I picked up a flatware organizer and decided it would be the perfect way to organize my messy drawer {and, of course, by organizing, help me purge unecessary items}.


What do you think?

before



after