Life

#weekendhangover

| The Bee Life

What a weekend! It was so busy, and so much fun – so many awesome things happened.

The big focal point around the weekend, was celebrating my aunts’ wedding – yes you read that correctly aunts, plural.  They decided to get married last month, just 2-weeks after the big Supreme Court decision.  So finally on Saturday we got to celebrate their marriage with family and friends.  Family started pouring in for the weekend Friday night with festivities starting early Saturday!

I was the designated photographer for my aunts, so I was busy popping around to all 170 guests making sure everyone was photographed, not to mention the group shots and cake cutting!  The cake cutting was about the only ‘wedding reception-esq’ thing that happened, besides an open bar with endless drinks.

The night ended over at our house, with some more drinks and a smaller crowd of the family – I was happy to host everyone around our dining room table.

Saturday also was a big day for B’s family, his brother and sister-in-law welcomed their first little girl, Avery into the world. She is the first grandchild, so it was a big deal!  We went to the hospital Sunday afternoon to meet her and see the new mom and dad!

The weekend was full of close family, good friends, lots of laughs and more memories to add to the books.  Moz even got to meet her new cousin, Findley (my aunt’s new puppy).  It was a nonstop weekend full of fun. I definitely have a weekend hangover to start this Monday off.

Ten Things

| The Bee Life

Here are ten senseless distractions; and a quick read to get to know a little more about me!  I saw this idea in another blog I like to read; Centsational Girl and loved this idea and thought it would be the perfect distraction for my afternoon. It was hard just picking one answer for each, but I tried my best.

1. If money was no object, what’s something you’d buy right now.  My own personal gym.

2. Spring vs. Fall ? Fall – clam bakes, sweaters, pumpkins, coffee, jeans, scarfs, cool runs… shall I continue?
3. What’s on your nightstand?  Pictures of me and B and my glasses.

4. What’s your favorite room in your house?  Our sunroom! 5. If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, who would it be?  Too many choices…. it’s a toss up between Derek Jeter and Katy Perry

6. Name one thing on your bucket list.  Sky dive with B

7. What’s the best vacation you’ve taken?  Jackson Hole w/ B and my parents! The company makes all the difference.
8. Congratulations, you just won an all expenses paid trip to Ireland and Germany!

9. Backyard BBQ or Formal Dinner?  Formal dinner – I love getting dressed up, and sitting around the table sharing stories, good laughs and a bottle of wine.
10. What advice would you give your teen self?   There is a much bigger world out there; explore it as much as possible, and even if you break away – there is still a bigger world beyond that.

Weekend Update

| The Bee Life

WA day late. This past weekend was a busy one! But well rounded and full of people I love.  The weekend started with some PTO and hitting the road to Upstate NY.  Road-trip back home to see the parents/brother and go wedding dress shopping with my HS BFF – plus it was Father’s Day!

Friday night, Moz and I arrived to my parents ate some pizza, had some drinks and played some Yahtzee – I ended up beating my mom, which rarely happens!

Saturday morning, I went over to the bride-to-be’s house so that we could ride together to the first stop! This was my first time out wedding dress shopping, so I had no idea what to expect (except what I’ve seen on TLC’s Say Yes To the Dress). I thought that I was going to cry at every dress I saw Katie in, I only got teared up on one.  It was also Katie’s first time out dress shopping, so she had to figure out what she liked compared to what she thought she would like.  It was pretty intense! She brought 6 of us along too so there were a lot of opinions and voices to listen too! There were two contenders when we left the first appointment.  At the second appointment there was one that she loved, but as soon as she put on the next dress she knew it was her’s.  It’s absolutely beautiful, plus Katie’s sister and I might have picked it out. *smiles*  I was so glad to be apart of this day with Katie – the first of many before she gets married. We also got to chat a lot in the car and catch up, it felt like old times when we used to go all over the place together.

My lame attempt at a selfie
The crew minus Lori
Bestie!

Saturday night, we got to enjoy a family dinner. My brother came over, so it was just the four of us, I can’t recall the last time that happened! Sunday was Father’s Day, so we started the morning with church and then brunch at a local diner in my hometown.  I had to go with the chocolate chip pancakes, one of my favorites!

CLE Whiskey – the perfect Father’s Day gift.
Selfie with Dad!
With Nate

After the drive back home; we got to celebrate little Moz’s 2nd birthday.  Of course with a mammoth cookie that she was beyond excited about.  Plus she got a few new squeaky toys! I can’t believe she is two already, she’s just so little. B and I love her to death.

Moz turns 2!
Moz turns 2!
Moz turns 2!

It was a fun weekend, away. B stayed back home to do Father’s Day festivities with his family. This upcoming weekend we will be gone again, just wait till you see what we’re getting ourselves into… again.

House Party

| The Bee Life

Our house was officially broken-in since we hosted our house warming party on Saturday!  I would say the party was a success overall.  The weather of course wasn’t as warm as I had hoped, in fact it was almost chilly, a cool 60-degrees, it would’ve been perfect had it been October. We had plenty of food and plenty of alcohol… we have so many leftovers, but I am not complaining about that! A lot of friends came that we hadn’t seen in awhile, that meant a lot and it was great catching up with them.

It was nice to be able to share our home with some many people who are near and dear to us, the first of many parties, I am sure.  I will hopefully get the food/drink portions down a little better and also try and be a little less stressed pre-party. We could probably have a second party with all the beer and left overs we have!

throwback thursday – may 2014

| The Bee Life

This time last year, we were in the final stages and days before the Rite Aid half marathon… with full weekends before and after, the entire month! And this month, we have had a few busy weekends, but nothing nearly compared to last year.  As much as I complained and wanted a free weekend last year … and as much as I like to keep my free weekends this year, I feel like I am already off to a boring start to the “summer” with no real vacations or trips (just one) in the future sights.

So many great memories and milestones happened a year ago this month; #DazzleCLE, my cousin’s senior prom, B’s sister’s college graduation, our three year anniversary, we ran our 6th half marathon, our friend’s got married, my cousin’s HS graduation party, and B’s first time in NYC.

I’m grateful for all these memories and times, and can’t wait for all the unplanned moments this upcoming year!

Happy Thursday!

Mad Men – The Forecast

| The Bee Life

So Mad Men is ending, and by no means will this become a weekly occurrence, but last night’s episode was so classic and brilliant I can’t get it off my brain. I’ve thought of blogging about Mad Men – but I read so many other blogs that kill it, I didn’t even want to try. (My favorite; Tom and Lorenzo)

Reasons why I love Mad Men;

1. It revolves around advertising
2. It’s a history lesson (in more than one way)
3. The characters are amazing
4. Roger Sterling
5. Last night’s episode (The Forecast)

Minor spoilers – you’ve been warned.

Favorite moments from last night; Sally’s reappearance. It’s about time she showed up in this last leg of the season, although from the looks of it we won’t be seeing her that often for the remaining four episodes. With Sally’s return came some great highlights; including the return of Glen Bishop, who not only fabulously rocked the 70’s side burns but was the same boy he’s always been; disappointing his mom and step-father and head over-heels for Betty. Not to mention, neither Betty or Sally had any clue of the others “relationship” with Glen, Betty proclaiming; “You’ve kept in touch all these years..” Despite Sally’s weak freak out over Glen’s news, she ended the night with a bang when she let Don have it before she left on vacay. I could tell during the restaurant scene, it was coming – another woman in Don’s life calling out his flaws.

I loved that we had some more Joan time last night, although her typical Joan swagger was a little off.  She’s not the type to fall in love so quickly, but we were proven wrong.   The pre-show scenes recapped Joan telling Bob Bensen, “I want love” …do we think Joan might’ve found love?  I am not so sure; his outburst and her remark to leave her son don’t show as promising characteristics these two bring out in each other.

Last but not least, this episode left us guessing… still.  From the looks of it Don really doesn’t have much of a future in sight – which makes me think again maybe the series will end with his death.  I half-serious/half-jokingly tweeted after last week’s episode that Matthew Weiner is trying to make us hate Don (mainly because of his pathetic obsession with Diana) so that when he does die, the viewers won’t be mad. But I also know it can’t be that easy. The last scene of the show last night was so symbolic and the second time an episode ends with Don is in a blank space, alone, with nothing.

New Buisness 4.12.15
The Forecast 4.19.15

What’re your thoughts on Mad Men so far?

Friday-spiration

| The Bee Life

Great news! It’s Friday, we’ve made it through another work week, now we just have to make it through this day (5:30pm).

I’ve always been someone who has big aspirations, dreams and goals both personally and professionally.  I’ve worked hard, and I’ve reached my goals but not without roadblocks.  Recent roadblocks for me have been out of my control, like so many usually are. When roadblocks start adding up and are constant, it’s hard not to loose inspiration and motivation. I will admit the luster is dulling (probably because I just turned 25 and I’m having my midlife crisis – yes midlife crisis.)

A friend recommended the book #GIRLBOSS – and I finally got it for my birthday.  Late last night I dove right into it and was immediately inspired and lifted up, I wanted to share a few sentences that jumped out to me last night.

“Abandon anything about your life and habits that might be holding you back. Learn to create your own opportunities. Know that there is no finish line; fortune favors action. Race balls-out toward the extraordinary life that you’ve always dreamed of, or still haven’t had time to dream up. And prepare to have a hell of a lot of fun along the way.”

– Sophia Amoruso, #GIRLBOSS

I think the biggest thing that stuck out to me is that constant reminder to; “create your own opportunities” although the harder part is learning how to do that and then having the confidence to go out on a limb and do it. We are creatures of habit, and it’s terribly easy to fall into a space of comfort. But we need to keep pushing ourselves past that.

How do you stay inspired?

TGIF!

Monday Reflections

| The Bee Life

My birthday is a week away and with that another milestone will be marked. I am a little silly when it comes to my birthday, but anyone else’s birthday is always something to celebrate and I love to spoil.  I mean I always love a good excuse to get dressed up and eat cake but at the same time as the numbers start increasing (and yes I know in theory, I am not old) I am not as much a fan.

I was trying to think of my ideal age that I would want to go back too.  It definitely wouldn’t be any high school related ages. It wouldn’t really be college either, maybe late college. But at the same time I look back to three years ago and I realize how far I’ve come and there is no doubt behind the saying “you learn with age.” I of course am excited about all of the opportunities, possibilities and adventures ahead, but can’t fight that Peter Pan syndrome.

Here is my game plan: cringe whenever someone asks how old I will be on my upcoming birthday, after said birthday will most likely forget by default how old I actually am and proceed to lie about it or just have to think really hard. Continue to work on convincing myself that age is just a number and try not to dread every birthday from here on out. Also, I know that I won’t get any sympathy from anyone, especially since most of my friends are all older than me!

Thanks for listening to my Monday nonsense.

Wednesday Reminders – Perspective

| The Bee Life

Lately there has been a lot of not so fun stuff happening, for a lot of people in my life and it really puts life into perspective.

It also leads to a lot of questions like… Why?
Or statements like… That’s not fair.

Sometimes things can easily be accepted by saying; “Everything happens for a reason.” But beyond the internal back and forth of reassuring and questioning, one thing is very evident, life and moments are so precious. That thing at work that might be stressing you out, or that petty fight you’re in with your friend, family or significant other, does it really matter? Do we really need to get all bent out of shape about small insignificant things, when there are much bigger things than ourselves happening? The answer is no.

So here is my challenge to all of you (myself included): do something nice for someone, even if it’s someone who you do something nice for everyday, go above and beyond. Write them a note, give them a compliment. Go apologize to that person you can’t get over a grudge with, be the bigger person. Smile today and be grateful.

My to do list for today