New Year's Eve

I can't believe the end of the year is here! 2012 came and went and now it's time for 2013. Every year I say the same thing and wonder how the next year can top the past because of how great each year really is. I always like to reflect and think about the year and what I want to happen for the next year. Each year I write a personal letter to myself and like to see how much has changed along with myself.

Tonight Dan and I will be with some family friends which is A-Okay with me. I feel like New Year's Eve always puts so much pressure with people to have the best plans (including myself.) I partially blame the media and all of the movies/tv shows that show people having an epic NYE. Especially this episode from The OC. It is by far my favorite tv show and I have to watch this episode every New Years. Ahh I swoon and melt every time I hear this song!! (Excuse my cheesiness).

I hope everyone has a wonderful night tonight and enjoy your time spending it with whoever it may be. Be safe and have a Happy New Year! See yall in 2013!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

I am home for the entire week and couldn't be happier. My last day of work was this past Friday and we don't open again until the new year which is great! I love being home and have been busy doing Christmas related activities ever since.

Sunday morning I had brunch at Nick and Johnnies with some of my very best girlfriends from high school. We usually get together one night before Christmas to do a little holiday get together, but this year time got away from us so we had a bottomless mimosa brunch instead (which I didn't hate...). It was great to catch up and we all exchanged cute little gifts!

Me and my best West Palm friends :)

 

Yesterday Christmas Eve was spent between my dad and mom's side of the family. We spent the day hanging out with my mom and the evening with my dad and step mom's family. They have the tradition of having about 30 people over and it's always fun seeing all the adults and kids together. Dan and I opened a couple of gifts and then went with my mom and brother to midnight mass. It was a long evening, but definitely worth it!

 

Christmas Eve!

 

Today has been a great but fast day. As usual, we woke up way too early and opened presents with my mom and enjoyed her breakfast casserole she only cooks on Christmas morning! (Which I oppose and think she should cook all the time!)

After gifts with my mom, we headed to my dad's house to open presents with him. Dan completely shocked me and got me a Michael Kors watch that I am now obsessed with! My dad got me a beautiful saphire ring that I love, and my mom got me the best jewlrey holder that will now be holding all of my newest additions ;)

Because I couldn't just pick one picture to represent today,  I had to create this instead..

 

 

As I am feeling blessed and certainly grateful, I always make sure to stop and remember the real reason for this time of the year. Sometimes I get so stressed out and anxious about the smallest things that really don't matter, and still need to remember how grateful I really am. I have a roof over my head, a healthy family that loves me, and wonderful friends and boyfriend. I hope everyone takes the time like myself to be thankful for what they have and to truly remember the season.

 

Merry Christmas, Everyone! I'm off to enjoy dinner!



USA vs. China

This past weekend Dan and I graced my family again with our presence. Friday night we spent with my mom hanging out and decorating the Christmas tree.
Saturday was spent lounging around (which doesn’t happen often!) Saturday night Dan and I headed to Boca Raton, Florida for the Women’s USA soccer game. I have been wanting to see the women’s soccer team play in person ever since I started watching the World Cup when they played as well as when they played this year in the Olympics. I was so excited just to get to be there!

 

The game was held at FAU Stadium. Little did I know our seats were 11th row. It was awesome!

 

The women’s team ended up winning 4-1 against China. Dan and I had a great time and it was a great way to spend a Saturday night!

 

ICE, ICE Baby

 

Dan and I have been making our own Christmas traditions and decided to continue our tradition of going to ICE! at Gaylord Palms again this year.

I definitely have to say that this year’s ice sculptures were the best that I have seen from years past. The only thing I didn’t like about this year was that it seemed a lot colder than the years past. I don’t know if the coats were lighter or they were blasting colder air, but we went through everything in 10 minutes and I felt like we didn’t get the most for our money! Regardless, it was a great time and something different and fun to do!

If you’re planning to go, I recommend going during the week so that it is a lot less crowded and there aren’t as many little kids later in the night. Weekdays are cheaper too! Regardless of when you go, I definitely recommend it! Don’t forget to dress warm and enjoy the cold weather! 

St. Augustine

I hope everyone had a great weekend! These past couple of days I was in St. Augustine with Dan, my dad and step mom, as well as my step grand parents. Dan and I had been planning to go as our anniversary trip, and my dad had been planning a trip with the rest of the family so we decided to turn it into a family trip and surprise Donna! Boy was she surprised to see us! I love surprising people and see how happy they are when they get excited. She was shocked and it made my weekend.

We stayed at the 44 Spanish Street Inn. It was a great place and was in walking distance to everything. Linda was a great innkeeper and she made the best breakfast! When we go back next year, I know we’ll be staying there again.
Saturday we walked around downtown and did some shopping. All I bought were postcards with alligators on them, so I’d have to say it was a success. I love how this town sits on the bay. It was super foggy out, but it kind of gave it that wintery vibe!

Dan and me on the water!

After walking around all day, we headed back to the room for a quick nap. Before dinner we headed out to the Tiny Martini Bar that is part of the Casablanca Inn. Literally about 10 people can sit at the bar. I love it! Of course we had to get our espresso martinis at the martini bar!

After drinks we ate dinner at O.C. Whites. The food was great! I got the chicken parm and was stuffed after 2 bites. I filled up on their crab artichoke dip before hand. I couldn’t help myself, it was so good!
The best part about St. Augustine this time of year is all of the lights they have decorated with throughout the city. The town itself is already so historic and special, this time of year just seems to add something to make it even better. I love this town and can’t wait to go back and visit!
I hope everyone has had a great weekend and is ready for the work week! (I know I’m not…) I’m off to watch ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas movie: The Mistletones starring Tori Spelling. I’m obsessed with the old school 90210 so this movie is right up my alley. Have a great night everyone!

I Love Birthdays!

Today Dan and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary. I can’t believe we’ve been dating for 2 years now. It seemed like just yesterday I was meeting him and thinking I couldn’t stand the kid. Look how far we’ve come... ;)

Not only is it our anniversary, but it is also Dan’s birthday!! He made it so convenient to not just have his birthday today but to make us “official” well. Props to Dan....

Tonight I took Dan to Joe’s Crab Shack for dinner. He thought it was just us but then all of his friends were there waiting to surprise him! It was great! I’m so happy that we were able to pull off the surprise and that everyone was willing to come out and celebrate.

Joe’s Crab Shack was a great place to celebrate a birthday. We were put in the “party room” so we didn’t have to worry about being too loud.The service was great and they didn’t mind us being such a big group. The best part was that they made Dan get up to sing and dance around the restaurant which was pretty funny to watch.

Now for the exciting part of birthdays.. Presents! I will be taking Dan skydiving at  SkyDive Sebastian and I am so excited he wasn’t able to figure out his gift before hand. I’m super nervous to skydive, but know he has been wanting to do this forever so it was nice to see his reaction when he opened his gift. Has anyone else sky dived before?! I’m anxious to hear how it is from anyone I can!

It’s been a long but great day and time for sleep. Until next time!

Happy Birthday and Anniversary, Dan! I love you!

Miami vs. New England

This past weekend I was in West Palm celebrating my step mom’s birthday as well as taking a Sunday trip to Miami for a football game.

Saturday night we spent at Frigates. Donna had all of her friends and family come out to basically drink (and eat...) to celebrating her birthday.

They had the best appetizer... FRIED PICKLES!

In case you have never had fried pickles, you need to find out what you’ve been missing. They are literally the best thing ever and if you dip it in ranch, it’s even better.

Besides the food being good, the atmosphere at Frigates awesome. It opens up to a large patio and an even larger outdoor bar. It looks so pretty at night that if I lived in Palm Beach Gardens, I’d definitely go there a lot more often. I can’t wait to go back there!

Sunday morning we made a trip to Miami for the Dolphins/Patriots game!

There was a group of my dad and step mom’s friends of about 40 of us and it was an awesome time. Although I find 9AM a little early to be tailgating, it was definitely worth it and so much fun. One of the guys made these amazing burgers that I can’t wait to grill for myself!

( All the recipes can be found in an e-book by a friend of mine.. Just need to find out the name of the e-book and I’ll tell you all about it.

Sadly, the Dolphins lost, but it was a great time just getting to be with everyone.