Flashback Friday

A year ago I have having the most amazing, over-the-top, bachelorette party. Such good memories!

Elle Woods

The biggest benefit of my work is being able to enroll in university courses for 97% off tuition. Last year was kind of crazy, but I am now at a point in my life where I think it would be a great idea to take advantage of this perk. I have enrolled in Event Management, a course that will take place Thursday nights starting tomorrow till the end of the semester. 

I am excited, but I am not going to lie, I am also fricken nervous. I haven't taken classes in 7 years and after reading the syllabus I am afraid I am going to be like Elle Woods at her first day in Harvard. I will keep you updated!

2 Years Ago

This happened ... 

Love you ZBR

Weekend Wrap Up

Classes start tomorrow?!*@?!! Where did the summer go? I had a nice little weekend before the madness starts tomorrow. Here we go:

Friday I went to a No Scrubs 90s dance party at 9:30 Club with a couple of girlfriends. Sadly, I didn't have any overalls, flannel, or baby doll dresses, so I just had to settle on glow stick bracelets to jazz up my outfit. I had no idea what to expect, but did have fun busting a move to Snoop Dog, Shoop (dedicated to you Sam & Kristen), and Genie in a Bottle. 

Saturday was nice and lazy. Zach, Riley and I parked in DC and walked around our new neighborhood then had lunch at Shake Shack. Riley wasn't as much as a fan of their fries as I was. 

Sunday after church we took part in one of my favorite DC traditions - Restaurant Week. Zach and I went to Graffiato, an Italian restaurant in Chinatown by Chef Mike Isabella, a chef who we've watching on a couple seasons of Top Chef, that I have been wanted to go to forever. It was delicious! We dined on caesar salads with exploding cheese croutons, pepperoni flat bread, breakfast pizza, blueberry crumble and chocolate cake with caramel ice cream. Not a bad dish, and I was glad to get it on a deal like Restaurant Week. 

Now its time for dinner, and maybe some meditation to prepare for the onslaught of students tomorrow haha. Happy weekend everyone!

The Purge

Today I had a day off from work to compensate for all the overtime I did the past two weeks. I decided my mission for the off day was to start the purging of our apartment. We will be moving from a two bedroom to a studio so this is going to be a interesting packing job. I just visited my cousin in law who moved to NYC and was inspired by her simple living in her new cramped environment. With the move we will be getting a storage unit, but when we eventually move to a bigger space I want to make sure when I am unpacking everything we have stored it will be more like greeting long lost friends, and not like I am greeting someone I have avoided for the past five years. 

Who did we say good bye to today?

• a few of those sorority t-shirts I was holding on for sentimental value
• the pink clutch I purchased from Nine West a few years ago thinking I was so grown up. It does not go with anything
• my white pants from the Gap - white pants and me should have never been friends

All in total I compiled four trash bags to donate! Can you tell I am excited to move?

Middle School Date Night

Well I admit it ... I am a sucker for advertising and bad food. Last week after the third Red Robin advertisement for their bottomless fries, I decided that I needed some of that haha. So on Monday, Zach and I had a middle school date night at Red Robin in Lake Forest Mall. 

Lake Forest is the mall I used to go in my tween years. It is by no means glamorous. Fun fact, I held my  very first job there - a hostess at Chi Chis. One summer I worked at Chi Chis, and my three other girlfriends worked at Red Robin, Silver Diner, and Express. We ruled the mall haha. It was nice to show Zach a little piece of history.

Anyways, the meal was just what I wanted it to be. There was nothing better than fries and honey mustard back in the day. Totally not worth the calories but we had a fabulous time. Thank you Red Robin for the throw back :)

Getting Ready

This weekend Zach and I spent getting ready for our exciting fall. First thing first - selling my car! Living 1.4 miles from work, I will absolutely not need my car when we move, so it just made sense. We listed it on Craigslist, and Saturday we met a guy at the metro to show it off. He drove off in it a few minutes later! Cleaning out Harriet I found my sorority pin, and CDs from my college days.  Nine years of memories was hard to say goodbye to, but I am definitely excited for the next adventure. 

That evening we went to the Apple store to get Zach ready for grad school. He picked up a Mac Book Pro for his classes (and he was so excited I took his pic). First class is September 7. Woop woop!

Big News

Big news people ... the Reeds are moving to Washington, DC!! The wheels turning started a couple of weeks ago, but it all became official last week. Here's the situation:

My nearest and dearest Shelby received a job offer in Salt Lake City (both amazing for her - sad for me news). She also happens to be a tenant in the Holy Grail of Washington, DC reality - a rent controlled apartment. I didn't even know that existed until she moved there! Her apartment is in the middle of the city, approximately a 10 minute walk from Chinatown, Metro Center, Farragut North and Dupont Circle. It's also less than 1.5 miles from work! When she started asking if we knew any one that wanted to move into her apartment, it sort of clicked for us. Its a small apartment, but it would be an amazing opportunity for us to live in the city, save money, and enjoy DC like we never have been able to before.    I am very excited for the opportunity and can't believe it is literally around the corner. 

See you soon DC!

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

I am a very mentally confidant person. Before I do things, I envision it in my mind going very well. I don't anticipate any struggle. However, sometimes when I try physical things that I imagine going so easily in my mind, it is a complete disaster. Examples ... trying to ride a bike for the first time, running a long race, ziplining ... The latest on this list - stand up paddle boarding. 

Stand up paddle boarding is basically a surf board that you put on a flat water surface and paddle like you are kyacking. Zach tried it for the first time this Memorial Day and LOVED it. I was supposed to it try then, but the water was really rough, so I said next time. My bff Shelby is leaving DC soon, and this is an activity she really wanted to try so we all headed down to the Potomac yesterday. 

You start on the paddle board by kneeling. This, I was okay with. I was nervous about standing up, but thought I would be okay after that. I didn't image just how shaky it would be!! Once I stood up I was not a fan. I was just so afraid of falling in the water, that I didn't calm down. I went back to the kneeling position for a bit to calm my nerves, cursing my willingness to try this latest activity. However after a couple of minutes I put on my big girl pants and tried standing up again. This time I was bit more calm and stable. Paddling is actually very simple, and I found it easier to direct the board than in kyacking. The view was amazeballs USA. I finished the hour without being completely afraid of what I was doing, but I don't think I am going to be an avid paddle boarder. The next time I do it I will have to be in a body of water I have no problems falling into. Though, for my more adventurous and athletic friends, I would recommend you giving it a try!

Hope you all had a great weekend. I spent today lounging, and it was just what I needed to prep me for another crazy week at work. Cheers!