Happy Hour

Last night I forced myself out of the house to a WFU alumni happy hour at a bar right around the corner from my office. As I walked to the train, I gave myelf a pep talk about surviving the awkwardness. But, alas, there was no awkwardness! As soon as I walked in, I saw someone I recognized talking with a bunch of girls. It turns out she was in my sorority at Wake--a senior when I was a freshman. She has recently moved to Atlanta after graduating from law school. I think I actually have a new friend! Not only her, but her roommate/friend from Wake and law school goes to the church I had already decided to go try out this weekend. So, now I may have 2 brand new friends AND I hopefully won't have to go to church tomorrow by myself. Last night was a good night.

This only reinforces what I guessed about stepping out of my comfort zone. I took one chance going to a party by myself, and it worked out. Not only this, but I have dinner plans with a whole different group of people next Friday night. And I have a new contact--friend of a friend--who lives literally right across the street from me. Things are looking up. with just a little bit of effort from myself.

Happy weekend! Today i'll run errands, perhaps hit the mall for some fabulous boots I found online at Nordstrom, and make the trek to Marietta for Bojangles and cheap Walmart groceries. Detox starts tomorrow, so I've go to get mentally prepared!

So fun

I'm a little bit of a cnn.com-a-holic today, but this seems like so much fun! Play dates for adults, and its in Atlanta! I'm not sure I'd ever get up the courage to go by myself, but maybe I can find someone to go with sometime. I honestly think I'd have a much better time playing Jenga with strangers than awkwardly standing in a bar with them.

Morning Links

A few interesting things I found this morning:

1. This article about how quickly every sign of former governor Blagojevich is disappearing in Illinois. He is basically a cartoon political figure at this point, and I think this man has serious mental issues. He's crazy! And I don't blame anyone in the capitol for wanting his picture down asap.

2. There is probably going to be a volcanic eruption today! I am fascinated with volcanoes, and am so excited that they have set up a webcam for this! Nerd, I know.

3. A few months ago I posted a blog about the Stuff White People like. Now they are turning it into a book and it's on CNN! I am a trendsetter!!

4. The anonymous mother of the octuplets already has 6 children. And she's unmarried. This is ridiculous.

Unproductive

I'm in a food coma after my delicious lunch today: portabello mushroom, basil and mozzarella cheese panini. Yum. I've decided that I'm going to join one of my co-workers to do a serious detox diet next week. Fresh fruits, veggies and vegetable broth for a week. Not sure if I can do it, but I'm definitely going to try! To do list for this weekend: grocery store to buy more fruits and veggies than one person should eat in a week.

I'm trying to think of something fun to do this weekend. I'll definitely be at happy hour tomorrow night, but I need something fun for Saturday. Maybe a visit to the art museum or a serious mall trip. I still haven't been to one of the fabulous malls down the street from me yet (and I've only been to the other one once), so it might be a good weekend for some mall quality time. I've been feeling really blah about my wardrobe this week too, so a new outfit might be a nice pick me up. Not that I need to be spending money, but hopefully I can catch some ridiculously good sales.

25 Things

1. I don't drink soda of any kind.
2. I really wish I had more confidence in my interior decorating skills--it took me a month just to pick out throw pillows for my couch.
3. When I feel sad, going to an art museum makes me feel better.
4. I'm a board-gameaholic (and I like to cheat!).
5. Zack Morris from Saved by the Bell was my first crush.
6. Sometimes I still really miss high school, and wish I could turn back the clock about 6 years.
7. Living alone scares me sometimes, but I really love it.
8. I wish I could keep a journal, but I always seem to give up or get distracted after about 2 weeks.
9. I love embarassing reality tv. VH1 and TLC shows are my favorites.
10. I used to be completely obsessed with 80s music, but now I'd say I'm more of a 90's kind of girl.
11. I really miss singing in a group.
12. London is the one place in the world that I could move to with no friends and no family, and never look back. London=happiness.
13. I am still giddy every single time I see snow.
14. It really annoys me when people cannot spell "definitely" and "ridiculous" correctly.
15. Bojangles sweet tea is my favorite drink.
16. Moving to Atlanta has shown me that I am braver than I give myself credit for.
17. I wish I had a pet in Georgia!
18. I have the most amazing friends. They are are all so different, and that is what I love about them.
19. Hootie and the Blowfish has been my favorite band since I was in 5th grade.
20. The best outfit I have ever worn was my senior prom dress. Head to toe glitter.
21. I am finally learning to like children.
22. I love trying new international cuisines.
23. I'm a beach person.
24. I read the Wall St. Journal every day.
25. My secret career ambition: wedding planner.

Real Estate

One of my goals for the future is to buy my own house. Maybe I should speed up the process and go for this one??

Fresh Face

So, I decided once again to change the blog around. I thought it would be a good idea if I took my own advice and lightened up a little. At least now I get to see the ocean every day:)

A friend of a friend from Wake invited me to join a big group of people for dinner next Friday night. They have a little supper club where they invite new people, try different restuarants around town, etc. I haven't met anyone who will actually be there, but I'm definitely going. Its all about stepping out of the comfort zone! I think its funny that all of these things seem to be falling into my lap once I made the conscious decision to put myself out there. Coincidence? I think not.

Nothing else to speak of today. Wake plays Duke tonight in basketball--GO DEACS! And I am so looking forward to New Orleans in a month with K. I like to always have something worthwhile on the horizon, and I think this trip will be a perfect mid-winter pick me up for both of us!

Inspiration

"Somebody once said, Everything you want in the world is just right outside your comfort zone. Everythingyoucouldpossiblywant!"
-Jennifer Aniston, Vogue, December 2008

This is my new goal for the next month (inspired by the Glamour article). I'm going to step outside my comfort zone. This could be talking to new people, going to happy hour by myself, going out in general, finding a church ,or just trying to do something everyday that is a little out of the norm.

Hazy, and a sign!

It is so hazy/foggy in Atlanta today that I can't see
much of anything outside my 8th floor midtown window. Definitely no tops of tall buildings--I can barely make out the hotel right across the street.

Hazy fog like this reminds me of one of my all time favorite paintings: Monet's Cathedral at Rouen. The painting is from a series, all done at different times of day. This one is the "Morning effect", and it always makes me think of a sleepy French town with heavy fog melting off in the morning sun. If only my view was more like this one!

And, a sign from the gods--I just got an email from the WFU alum club, and they are having a happy hour on Friday night near my office. Yay! Normally I wouldn't be so keen on going by myself, but this timing is too perfect, and I'm hoping for the best (and not just me sitting awkwardly around alone).

Tuesday Morning

Sigh. I feel like I'm in a rut. Scratch that, I know I'm in a rut. I get up, get ready for work, ride the train to the office, work all day, ride the train home, make a little dinner, watch tv, maybe exercise, read, sleep. Repeat exactly, every day. Too much predictability, not enough fun. I have got to make some new friends in Atlanta. While I love being by myself (the beauty of being an only child) and have discovered that I am more independent than I thought I was, I crave a lot more social interaction than I'm getting right now.

So, this weekend I'm going to try out a new church in hopes of meeting new people. I'm definitely not a really religious person, but I've researched and found a big church near me with a great singles program, and I'm really hoping it'll help me branch out a little. I'm also going to try to get in touch with a few Wake people I know in town to see what they are up to. At least I have a plan!

These people inspire me.

Just read this article from Glamour via msn.com that I really enjoyed. Its all about real women who changed their lives in 31 days just by doing small things. They call them resolutions with a lower case "r". They made manageable changes in their lives, and have made me want to do the same.

SAG Awards Fashion

Time for more of my world famous fashion commentary from the SAG Awards last night! Again, I did not watch the show (the only awards shows I actually watch are the Oscars, the Grammys, and of course the VMAs), but I have been on people.com and usmagazine.com to see what is really important: who was wearing what.

The bad:

I don't like this dress at all. Too many weird ruffles, too two-toned, too much everything. Ick.

Another awards show, another snooze from Angelina Jolie. She never looks bad, but her outfits are SO boring. I am not impressed. She better not show up to the Oscars in another one of these drab, loose, hangy creations.

The good:

Evan Rachel Wood has really turned herself around since she dumped Marilyn Manson! I think she looks stunning and I love the unique color.

Great color, great hair, and I even like the plunging neckline.

Kate Winslet is another star who never looks bad in my opinion. This color is gorgeous on her, and the cut is just right for her body shape.

Happy Day!!

I am finally back in the land of the living (and back at work)! I think I'm allergic to Valdosta, GA, because I started feeling a little gross last Wednesday while I was there, and thank goodness we finished up early and came home on Thursday, because I basically passed out on my couch for about a day, finally dragged myself to an urgent care and got some meds. Luckily my parents were already planning to come down this weekend, so they took care of me. We did a little shopping (I discovered a fabulous JC Penney furniture outlet...brand new coffee tables for $60) and eating once I felt like I could go out in public again, haha. So I'm pretty excited about being back at work today woo!

Today I must: call Kristin, get a chunk of my project done at the office, try to call Claire to see if she is still alive, make the rest of the delicious ravioli for dinner, maybe go to the gym or just do some pilates in my apartment...I've been sitting on my butt for way too long.

Things that make me smile: the beautiful pashmina I received all the way from Turkey from my bff, my new "best of the food network" cookbook I got for free!, the complete SATC series on dvd, specialty olives that I paid way too much for, and my free month long subway card from work. Maybe i'll promise myself a massage with the money I'll save every month:)

Blahh

Not much to report on. I think I'm getting sick...yuck. But i'm trying to stave it off with tons of OJ and hopefully some meds and good sleeping in my bed once I get home tonight. I love that we finished up our business trip a little early! And I might not even have to go into the office tomorrow:) We'll see.

My parents are coming this weekend for my Dad's birthday, and I'm really hoping to go to the Terra Cotta warriors exhibit at the High Museum. Also need to find a good restaurant to take them to, even though I'm a little sick of eating out now. One of the only things I don't like about going on the road for work is the constant eating in restaurants. That'll just be something I have to get used to I guess.

Happy Thursday (and K, hopefully I'll give you a call tonight if I'm not on my deathbed and we can discuss NO yay!).

Freezing cold and palm trees

Sorry for the lack of posting in the last week, but I've been busy & out of town: an excellent combo. I had a great weekend at home, caught up with friends and family, shopped a little (steal of the weekend: essie nail polish on sale for 99 cents a bottle!) and ate a lot. I made it safely out of Raleigh and back to Atlanta on Monday night, just missing the 6 INCHES of the snow they had yesterday. Ugh. I am so jealous.

This week I'm in Valdosta, GA on business, and you would think it would be much warmer since I'm only about 10 miles from Florida here. Yes, there are palm trees at my hotel. And, yes, it was 25 degrees outside this morning. Absolutely absurd. The hotel is nice and my co-workers are great travel buddies. We're going to the local outlet mall tonight:)

I watched the inauguration yesterday at a Ruby Tuesday in south Georgia with my co-workers. It was a momentous occassion, even though I didn't vote for the new president myself. I hope that he can do great things and help our country and prove me wrong in my voting decision--we definitely need some change for the better at this point. It was incredible to see so many people packed into the Mall in DC, and Michelle Obama looked stunning in her day and evening outfits. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing moreof her.

Ahh, faux-friday at last. I'm leaving ATL tonight at 7:30 for a lovely weekend in the arctic tundra of North Carolina (the high tomorrow at home is 27...the HIGH!). I'm hoping I'll survive, but I'm really unsure about it. This is another one of those times when I wish there was a full body Ugg boot (that didn't make you look like a 300lb. Eskimo...not possible, I know).

Things to look forward to: lunch with Erin, my haircut, and dinner with Be on Friday, seeing Sara at some point and hopefully seeing Bride Wars, family time on Saturday, finally finishing Twilight on the plane, and getting ready for my first business trip next week!

That being said, the blog will be taking a little vacay as usual. And since I'll be out of the office all next week, I'll update whenever I get a chance. Happy weekend!

Hello Raleighwood

I'm getting excited about going home tomorrow night. It
hasn't been that long since I was there for Christmas, but I'm looking forward to going home for some normal, non-holiday time. I want to eat my favorite Mexican food and some of my Granny's delicious cooking. Hopefully i'll get to see a few friends and enjoy sleeping in my bed.

Last weekend I drove out to Marietta to go to Bojangles (25 min drive and totally worth it, plus I got to see this fabulous "big chicken"...apparently a highlight of the town). While I was in the car, I realized that I really missed driving around towns like that. In North Carolina, there is plenty of rural land around me. Its normal to see deer in the yard and farm land on the way to my grandparents house. And on Saturday it dawned on me that I don't get that here. Not that Marietta is rural by any means, but the fact that there was grass beside the road, and a big Walmart shopping center near the Bojangles, really reminded me of home. So this weekend, I'm especially looking forward to seeing my big yard and no paved sidewalks everywhere.

Simple pleasures

One of my favorite things to eat in the cafeteria in my building is the gumbo. It is the perfect amount of spicy and its delicious. So, currently I'm in a food coma after eating plenty of gumbo for lunch. This makes me happy. Another thing that makes me happy: all the new yoga and pilates workouts I discovered on my on-demand cable. Now if I don't want to trek outside of my apartment to the gym tonight, I know I have lots of interesting videos I can do! Plus, maybe I won't pull anything out of socket next time I go to yoga. Always a plus.

A few other good things about this week: I'm going home on Thursday night!!; another awesomely bad episode of The Secret Life of the American Teenager; my Sex and the City dvd set is coming in the mail tomorrow; my online order from Sephora is coming today with all my exciting free samples of random beauty goods; sunny weather, even if its super cold--I was getting pretty tired of the gray gloom that didn't want to leave.

Go Deacs!

Happy Monday! I stayed up much later than usual last night to watch the Wake v. UNC game--so classic. I am SO happy that Wake beat the Tarheels.

Last night while I was watching I couldn't help but remember this exact same weekend my freshman year, when all of my friends and I camped out at the coliseum before the Carolina game and checked in all night long for great seats. Granted, we put the seat down in my jeep and watched dvds on our laptops all night, so we weren't exactly roughing it. I am proud to say that's the closest I've ever been to camping:) Its a sweet memory that I hadn't thought of in a long time, and it makes me really nostalgic for that time in my life. And I miss all my Wake Forest friends even more--even those I didn't keep up with much after freshman year. We had such great times together, and its a little bit of a shame to know that we'll never get to camp out at the Joel together again.

Best of the Golden Globes

Here are my absolute favorites from the red carpet last night:

Eva Longoria. I'm not usually that crazy about her dresses, but she really sizzles in this one. I think the color is gorgeous and the mermaid cut looks fantastic on her.

Anne Hathaway. Not only am I a little bit obsessed with many of her movies (ie. The Princess Diaries 1&2, The Devil Wears Prada, and others), but I think she always looks stunning. I love evening dresses in navy. If I was going to the prom this year, you better believe that this is the exact dress I'd be copying. Go Anne!

I heart Amy Adams, especially since I saw Enchanted again over the weekend. Plus, I think she did a really good job in spicing up the usual black evening gown. I like that she is doing more of a ball gown with a pattern. She looks gorgeous!

Worst of the Golden Globes

Ahh, finally some excellent fashion to dish about. It seemed like everyone came out in full force on the red carpet last night...except for these people. These are my picks for the 3 fashion losers of the night.
Renee, honestly, what have you done to your hair? And the skirt of the dress is fine, but the nude corset top and sheer blouse make her look kind of like an alien. Just bad all together.

Angelina Jolie never really looks bad, but her dresses are always so boring. I like the fact that she's wearing something other than black, but this dress doesn't do anything for me.

Cameron Diaz in Chanel haute couture. I like the color, although its a little pepto bismal in pictures. But the weird gathering on the side just is not good. I think it could have been beautiful with a big ball gown skirt and the one shoulder at the top.

Ahhh, three day weekend

Yesterday was my flex day off from work, so I did a few very important things including the gym, grocery shopping, cooking my first "real meal" in my apartment (marinated pork chop and veggies), and I went to TJ Maxx which was amazing. Not only did I find a Marc Jacobs jacket from Bergdorf's marked down from $1,700 to $180 (and also tiny), but I bought a new pair of sevens, a Michael Kors top, 2 new throw pillows for my couch (yay) and a big collage picture frame all for $150. New favorite store.

Today I'm planning on finding my bojangles fix (double yay) and cleaning my apartment top to bottom, and i've already been to the gym! Go me.

Otherwise it's sort of a boring errand-filled weekend. I watched Havana Nights last night and might stay in tonight too. Tomorrow night Claire and I are going out to a big Wake alumni party to watch the Wake v. UNC game. Should be fun. Happy Saturday!

People's Choice fashion winners and losers

A few outfits from the awards show (which I did not watch, because I only really care about the red carpet:).

Kate Hudson in Gucci. Ewww. This looks like I could have sewn it. And its really too bad because the color could've been great on her. Boo hiss.

Reese Witherspoon, always a classic (even if its a little boring). But, hey, you've got to save the big guns for the Globes and Oscars. Who really cares about People's Choice?

I think Katherine Heigl is stunning and I like the fact that she's not wearing a dress. She also has the Audrey Hepburn look going on big time, which is never a bad thing.

Purple!

The new color makes me happy. As does: having real work to do, not just my "learning" modules; hump day, which is actually my Thursday this week; the rain outside; meeting new people; doing lots of reading; starting yoga tomorrow; the 90s music channel on my cable; hopefully eating Bojanlges on Friday. I'm on a quest!

This one is for Kristin

(and me).

Hehe.

Real Work!

I am actually doing my very first real work at my job today. Hooray! It's pretty interesting and it will be good practice for when I start going out in the field and begin to travel for my job

Last night I went to the gym again (yay) and watched the Secret Life of the American Teenager. Why I watch this show is still beyond me...but last night's episode was awesomely bad, as usual. Of course, I'll keep watching for the rest of the season. I also started reading Twilight. I can already tell that the book will be better than the movie, but I'm glad I saw the movie first so that I can keep picturing Robert Pattinson in his Ray-Bans. Yum.

Tonight: leave work, gym, dinner, read more, sleep. Repeat daily. At least this week is my flex friday! Yay for 4 day weeks!

Pretty Pictures

Some faves of the weekend:
Inside the High in Midtown.

Warren and Lydia are getting married!

Edward Cullen mmmm.

food+art+friends:happiness

Wasn't feeling the dark blue background, so it's a clean slate for now. I'm hoping this will encourage me to post more pictures and pretty things.

Great weekend. Went out to dinner at a fabulous tapas (but they call them "small plates") place with Lydia and her relatives on Friday night. I had some smoked trout, tuna tartar, lamb lasagna and pumpkin risoto. I wish I had pictures of the food:) Saturday I drove around doing errands without my GPS for the first time. I felt proud of myself, even though I only went to the library and post office and a little shopping. I went to Target and Homegoods on a quest for throw pillows, but I have no interior designer in me, so I never feel confident in my choices and am still pillowless. Sigh. Lydia slept over on Saturday night. We went to this crazy place near my apartment where you pick out your own noodles/veggies/rice/raw meats/sauces and they make a stir-fry thing for you right there. Mine actually turned out pretty good. Then we drove to the middle of no where movie theater in the next town over and saw Twilight. A-mazing. Ok, I admit, the movie was a little bit like film noir for 13 year olds gone wrong, but I am definitely developing the Edward Cullen obsession. I'm officially starting in on the books K sent me!

Sunday Lydia and I talked about weddings and freshman year and ate cinnamon rolls in my apartment. After she left I went to the High museum and bought my membership. It was packed for the Terracotta Warrior exhibit, so I didn't even try to wait in line. I checked out most of the permanent collection, the Louvre exhibit and the V&A exhibit. Seeing all those beautiful things re-inspired me a little. I'm happy that I can go back anytime I want for free, and its only 1 train stop away!

New Year, Day 2

Farewell 2008! The year I graduated from college, got my first job, moved out on my own and discovered a new city. As far as I'm concerned, that's a hell of a lot to happen in one year. Too much. Still adjusting, still learning, but overall enjoying life and surviving being an adult. In 2009 I hope for new friends, more fun, less stress and just taking it easy.
_______________________________________________

I have to admit that day 1 of 2009 was a pretty lazy one. And I don't even have the excuse of staying up late and partying all night long the night before. Claire was sick, so I stayed in and watched awesome movies and made dinner for myself. Not a bad New Year's Eve. Yesterday I went grocery shopping, drove around town aimlessly just to see what's around, watched more awesome movies (on Lifetime, I admit) and went to the gym. New healthy lifestyle is going awesome! Oh, except for the pizza I ordered last night and will finish eating today or tomorrow. Oops.

Tonight I'm having dinner with Lydia and Warren and some of her fam. So excited to see my new newly engaged friend--eek! And we ditched the French place, and now we're going somewhere called 4th and Swift in the trendy area called Virgina Highlands. One thing I really like about Atlanta: interesting names for different areas of town. This weekend I'm planning on buying my membership to the High Museum of art and checking it out on Saturday. I'm pretty excited about going.