June 29, 2015

The Art of the Self-Date

Have you ever been on a self-date?
 
I don't do it often, but when the mood and circumstances show themselves, I don't deny myself a good time.
 
Ok, "good time" isn't quite the right term. Maybe "me time" or "quiet time," would be more appropriate.
 
But I'm not talking staying home with a glass of wine and painting my nails either. 
 
Sometimes I want to go out to eat, have a beer, and not talk to anyone but the person bringing me that beer. Is that a crime?
 
 
 
When you go on a real date, or even out with friends, there's pressure to socialize, it's rude to be on your cell phone, and you are more conscious of everything to do - even down to what you order.
 
On a self date that goes out the window. I had a hankering for a burger and a beer. I sat for a while at home, with just a twinge of anxiety about going out by myself, and then thought "fuck it" I'm going.
 
I took myself to one of my favorite places - a brewery the BF doesn't like - so I rarely get to go there.
 
Not only did I go. I got ready. It felt good to put on a maxi dress, do my make up and style my hair, but just for me. 

If you think about it, the only time you really get ready is for others. When was the last time you got done up just to feel good?
 
 I sat up at the bar, ordered the biggest burger on the menu, scrolled through Facebook and Instagram and watched a little of the women's World Cup. I didn't have to make small talk, or re-think what I ordered. I just sat, drank beer, ate the free kettle chips and let myself breathe.

It's exactly what I needed after last weekend, the hellish week I had, and 5 hours of volleyball.

I think I need to take myself on more self-dates.

Are you comfortable going out alone? Do you ever take yourself on self-dates? 

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June 26, 2015

5 Things I learned about NOLA first hand

Oh heeeeyyy....

Sorry I took over a week's break from this little place. First there was NOLA then there was.... recovering from NOLA. In sleep, detoxing, and mostly trying to get caught up at work and life.



It made it really hard to blog. Even though I've been dying to share it all with you!

Before I do a full recap - I promise, someday it will surface - I'm going to do a little teaser post about some of the things I learned about New Orleans first hand. Things I may have heard, but didn't whole heartedly believe, or things I was completely unaware of.

So here you are. 5 things I learned on my crazy, amazing, long, exhausting weekend in New Orleans:

1 | It doesn't smell very good. Ok let me rephrase, it STINKS. Apparently there are some sewage issues due to the age of the city, flooding, etc., which isn't helped by the mass amounts of drunk people who also leave their stink. I thought I'd get used to it....but you don't.

So we had to drink to forget the smell

2 | Hot and humid is an understatement. Be prepared to sweat through every pair of panties you brought and then some.Or maybe just don't go in the summer?



3 | All of the cemeteries are above ground. I thought that was just a cool historical thing about the area but it's actually because they CAN'T bury bodies due to how high the water table is there - since NOLA is pretty much below sea level.


4 | It's the other city that never sleeps. Vegas has nothing on it. I feel like I should have realized this the first night in town when we didn't go to bed till 4:30, but it really didn't hit me till Sunday morning as we walked back to the hotel as the sun came up. Oooops! I promise I meant to sleep.



5 | It's the most fun you'll ever have. Seriously I had the time of my life! Although I don't feel the need to go back any time soon - it really knocked me on my ass - it was more fun than I could have ever imagined, hot, sticky, crazy and all!



I hope to be back to my more normal blogging schedule next week. I'm diving head first into busy season at work though, so no promises.

Happy Friday!

 
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June 24, 2015

HOLY CRAP I THOUGHT IT WAS TUESDAY | #hashtaghumpday

You guys, I really let it slip today and I'm sorry. I honest to God thought it was Tuesday for some reason. I completely missed #hashtaghumpday!

I blame NOLA for being one crazy bitch and rocking my world. It's going to take me 2 weeks to catch up on sleep, no joke.

While I have a ton of NOLA stuff I could confess, my brain is still mush and my life is crazy busy in getting caught up, so I'll have to get back to your usual Wednesday programming next week.

SOOOOO SORRY!!

 
#Hashtaghumpday @ Genuinely Lauren
 
 
Don't worry, you can still link up though!

 
See you next week!!! Miss you all!
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June 17, 2015

#HASHTAGHUMPDAY | NOLA

Heyo! I'm here on my last day of the real world. Tomorrow I jet off to New Orleans for the bachelorette/birthday extravaganza!!!!

To say I'm a little distracted is a bit of an understatement. I. CAN'T. FREAKING. WAIT.

But before I dive in head first to more chit chat about my trip, go say hi to my partner in crime, Lauren @ Genuinely Lauren! She's the best!
 
#Hashtaghumpday @ Life with Lolo


 First a little business. Here’s the scoop:
  • Each Wednesday create a post about what’s going on in your life and #hashtag each item or story. See an example HERE. Be as creative as you want! 
  • Grab the button and include it in your post
  •  Link up so we can all #creep on you and find out what’s new/funny/awesome /shitty in your life.
  • Comment on at least one other blogger’s post from the link up (someone you don’t already know!) if there even is anyone who links up…
  •  Share on all your social sites with #hashtaghumpday
  • Have fun! #hashtagtheshitoutofeverything #whocaresifitsarealhashtag

Kapeesh?

Alright. I'll say sorry in advance that this is so vacation centered, but...... I can't even function outside of my excitement for the trip, so you get what you get #andyoudontthrowafit.


I've been spending more time than usual with a couple of my girlfriends that are going on the trip. Usually we are so busy we are happy just to see each other about once a month. We have now hung out two consecutive weekends in a row, and have a constant text and/or facebook message going at all times. And it's WONDERFUL. And it makes me that much more excited to hop on a plane with them tomorrow #cantwait #moregirltime #hopeitdoesntendafterthetrip


Along with that, part of the constant contact is because we had kind of a crazy idea at one of our weekend pool parties. We want to open a business together. I'm not going to go into details, but I think with our three strengths in different areas we might actually be able to do it. It would be a dream come true, but I'm trying not to get my hopes too high as it's a long way off #nomoreworkingfortheman #dreamjob #bemyownboss #girlpower



We also may have discussed getting tattoos while in NOLA #yolo #girlfriendtattoos

I went ahead and bought a sticky option for my backless dress that I discussed last week. I decided to go with "breast lifts/shapers" instead of a "bra" as the dress holds me in pretty well. TMI? #sorrynotsorry #hopeitworks #stickyboobsfordays


Speaking of dresses and things to wear on the trip I am SO EXCITED to actually have a place to wear all my cute summer tanks and shorts and dresses. Let's be real - most weekends I don't get all that done up, I'm in yoga pants and a tank, and I can't wear cut offs and a spaghetti strap shirt to work. So yay for long weekends in hot climates where I can wear all my cute stuff! #iknewiboughtitforsomething #shortshorts #maybealittleextraskin


I'm a little bit worried about all of the alcohol to be consumed on the trip. Since I'm old now, I can't seem to handle myself and I get the worst hangovers known to man, so I need to take it easy there. That many girls all in one place is going to be stressful. Please God let there be some self control involved #formysake #andeveryoneelses #justsaynotohangovers



I don't think that will stop me from indulging some on the plane though #ibringmyownminibottles #planecocktailsarepricey #givemethecomplimentaryshitandillspikeitthanks



Seriously guys I'm so ridiculously excited. Someone please tell me how to get through the rest of this day without going crazy #ineedtogetoutofhere #checkedoutalready #sayonarasuckers


Needless to say you probably won't see me much around these parts, or commenting on your lovely spaces for the next few days. But follow along on my boozeventure in New Orleans on my instagram and Facebook! Heck I might even Tweet about it #crazierthingshavehappened. We'll be using #MooreNOLAmore!

Love you all! Wish I could take you all with me!


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June 15, 2015

Through the Lens | Washington DC

Words can't even begin to describe all that we did and saw on our week long trip to Washington DC.


So I'm going to let these few photos (of the more than 500 I took) speak for themselves.
 
Beer at the Washington Nationals Game
Beer at the Washington Nationals Game
Vietnam War Memorial, Washington DC
Vietnam War Memorial, The Wall
Vietnam War Memorial, Washington DC
Vietnam War Memorial, The Wall
Vietnam War Memorial, Washington DC
Vietnam War Memorial, The Wall
Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC
Lincoln Memorial
Vacation to DC
National Mall
United States Capitol Visitor Center
United States Capitol Visitor Center
United States Capitol
United States Capitol
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museun
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museun
National Zoo
National Zoo
National Cathedral, Washington DC
National Cathedral Rose Window
National Cathedral, Washington DC
National Cathedral
WWII Memorial, Washington DC
WWII Memorial
WWII Memorial, Washington DC
Washington Monument from the WWII Memorial
Washington Monument Reflecting Pool
Washington Monument Reflecting Pool
Washington Monument from the MLK Jr Memorial
Washington Monument from the MLK Jr Memorial
FDR Memorial, Washington DC
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Thomas Jefferson Memorial across the Tidal Basin
Thomas Jefferson Memorial across the Tidal Basin
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, Arlington
Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, Arlington
National Art Gallery Architecture
National Art Gallery Architecture
Smithsonian Castle
Smithsonian Castle
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
Washington DC at night
Washington DC at night
Washington DC at night
Washington Monument at night, across the reflecting pool
Washington DC at night
Lincoln Memorial at night
WWII Memorial at night
Lincoln Memorial from the WWII Memorial at night
and one more cool shot of the metro!
 
 
 
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