A Family Affair

        On Wednesdays, my fiance and I get together with his family with what we like to call "Family Wednesdays." This particular Wednesday was a special one, since we were celebrating my birthday with the family.

I got presents, money, a gift card to Steak n Shake, my own party hat, and my fiance's mom delicious cheesecake. We had dinner at Chili's. I was excited to receive my gifts, because the gifts were what we put on the registry at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

We got the Soda Stream machine! Have you seen this? This has to be the coolest thing ever! I have been dying to own one, since I saw it at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I am so glad that we own one. We don't have to waste money on soda again, because we can just make our own. It tastes the same anyway, except this soda does not contain aspartame. Oh... the money we will save!

I'm also loving the cookbook and kitchen essentials that were bought. Now, we will have healthy foods to cook for each other.

We have been meaning to read Love and Respect, and now we have our own copy.

Everything is great. I'm really, really blessed!

I promise this is the last birthday post, until next year!

Another Year

Thanks to everyone who wished me a "Happy Birthday!"

On the day of my birthday, I had the day off. Thank goodness! I loved having five days not to worry or think about work. 

The morning started off with David cooking me breakfast. Yum, bacon. My favorite! Afterward, we went to the florist. Finally. We have been putting it off forever. The first florist that we went to, was not very friendly and was rude. The second florist that we went to, which we are 99.9% going to end up using was super nice. Plus, she had the four cutest little Boston Terriers. Bad news. It turns out the flowers that I want are the hardest to get and most expensive. They are going to see what they can do. 

After we left the florist, David bought me some Ralph Lauren Polo rain boots. Perfect for this terrible, rainy, yucky, cold, dreary weather that we have been having. There are still more rain, thunderstorms, and tornado warnings in our area. Will the sun ever shine again?

For dinner, we went to one our favorite restaurants for dinner. Sadly, we can't go all the time, since it is so expensive. At least we can save it for special occasions.  It is so yummy. No wonder it is ranked in the top ten steakhouses in the country. I got the usual: 16 oz. ribeye, fries, and macaroni and cheese. Since it was my birthday, I got to pick a desert off the menu for free. I chose this apple crisp something another (I forgot the name).

David says he has another gift for me, but has to order. I can't wait to find out what it is!

dress: fire by los angeles

cardign: wet seal

earrings: wet seal

shoes: wet seal

Girl Time

Thanks to everyone, who wished me a 'Happy Birthday!'

On April 25, my best friend (aka maid of honor) came up to visit, so we could have some girl time. First, we went to Applebees, where I got a free birthday sundae. She was able to give me the invitations that she had made for the bridal shower. I'll go into more detail on Wednesday for a Wedding Wednesday post. Afterward, we went to the mall, where I made a few purchases. I probably shouldn't have, but it is too late for that.

After being at the store and everything, I completely forgot I was out of makeup wipes. David ran to the store and picked them up, while I stayed at home. When he arrived back home, he had another birthday surprise for me!

purchases from the mall...philosophy birthday cake body wash (free gift from sephora), eyeshadow by sephora: island oasis, lola by marc jacobs perfume. OPI nail polish (left to right): Iris I Was Thinner, Caribbean Cocktail (you can't tell, but it has glitter in it), Leotard-Optional, and Havana Dreams

more purchases from the mall. a woman can never have enough shoes!

more purchases...pink. my signature color.

more purchases... earrings!

gifts from my future hubby

flowers from my future hubby

I also had been looking at DSLR camera straps made by MelVDesigns. I have had my eye on them for months. Less than a week ago, I even looked at all of the ones that were in her shop. I checked her shop out on April 25 and much to my dismay, three of my favorites had been sold. Sad face. Luckily, I found one that was me... Pink, of course. Polka dots, duh. Two of my favorites. My camera is now going to have personality. If you have a DSLR camera, you should check her out. Better hurry though, 'cause these seem to be selling out fast!

Quarter of a Century

Twenty five years ago...

At 12:51am, I said, "Hello to the world!"

Does anyone else have the irrational fear that you will wake up on your birthday, and everyone will forget? I do. Even though with facebook and twitter and blogs and everything, I always have that fear that perhaps maybe people would have forgotten my 'day.' Then when my birthday comes, I get lots of birthday wishes, messages, and texts. I just can't seem to escape that uneasy feeling that I get on April 25.

 Woo... Today is my 25th birthday!

A Rainy Easter

On Easter morning my fiance and I met his parents at the church at 9:30am to attend the Easter service.

Afterwards, we went back to their house, where a yummy breakfast was cooked before his dad had to go to work. The breakfast consisted of: eggs, toast, bacon, cinnamon rolls, and hash browns. Yummy!

Later that night...

Before my fiance and I cooked dinner, we colored eggs. These eggs turned out better than last year's fiasco. Haha! We also cooked our "go to" meal. So yummy!

Excuse the jeans under my dress. I did not want to wear jeans to church. I wanted to wear a dress. I did not feel like bringing a change of clothes, and I did not want to stay in a dress for the first part of the day. The ways I like to sit are not necessarily appropriate and ladylike to do in a dress, hence the jeans.

Usually, I would be feeling sad about Sunday being over and beginning a new work week. Nope, not at all. I do not have to work Monday or Tuesday (Thank God!). I need a break. Actually, any break would not be long enough, but that is beside the point. I am going to try my best to enjoy my days off and then look for the next days that I am going to request off, which will be super soon! On the bright side, I will only have to work 2.5 days this week. Also, I guess at least I have two weeks (remaining) off from school, before the next module (aka semester) starts. Boo!

With this week beginning, I know it will be a busy one.

Monday-Hanging out with my friend (aka Maid of Honor) Ashley.

Tuesday-It's my 25th birthday!

Wednesday-Work and celebrating with the fiance's family.

Thursday-Work and cramming to finish my last two papers for graduate school that is due for the spring module. My mom is in town.

Friday-Work and take a test for my graduate school class. My mom is in town.

Saturday-No class, but will probably have to do stuff :( Plus, my mom is in town.

New Hairs (Before and After)

On Saturday, April 23...

I arrived at the salon at 11am.

I did not end up leaving until about 6pm.

What took so long, you ask?

Well, the new me. Of course.

I have had this certain "look" before in the past.

Actually twice.

It has been five years, since I had this look.

I was beyond excited!

I came into the salon looking like this.

About 7 hours later...

I came out looking like this...

Here is the 'before' and 'after' pictures next to each other.

 

Extensions used: Great Lengths