Five on Friday

     It has been a while since I have linked up with April and Co. for 5 on Friday.  I feel like I have a lot of random thoughts right now so bear with me.  Here we go.

1. Resolutions:

    I know it is already February, but I recently looked back on last year's resolutions.  In 2013 I challenged myself to blog more and spend more time on some of the hobbies I enjoy.  Now I will say, I did blog more, not as much as I would have liked, but I still believe I captured most events in my life.  As I said in the past I want to use this blog as a scrapbook so I don't want to forget anything.  However, I certainly did not spend more time on hobbies.  #resolutionfail   I seriously do not know what I was thinking.  Why would one believe they would have more time to spend on hobbies when they are also planning a wedding?!?!  I'm crazy.   I'm pretty sure I did zero hobbies for all of 2013.   So I have decided to try and make this resolution happen for 2014.  Bring on the books and knitting!!

2. Appreciation:

  A few weeks ago at work I had a tough week, I was doing something new for the first time and was totally stressed out and working crazy hours.  It is pretty fair to say that for the first half of January I was checked out on life other than this big thing I had at work.  It ended up going well and I am thrilled my hard work paid off.  Throughout January even though I probably wasn't the most fun person to be around,  my friends and family were constantly sending me well wishes and offering to help me with anything I needed.    DFH was super supportive and every night I would come home to a home cooked meal, a clean house and sometimes a glass of wine, which was just what I needed.    After it was over even my bosses at work surprised me with flowers at work. 

    It is times like this I realize how lucky I am to have the best support system ever.  Every text, phone call, and supportive comment motivated me and made me feel so loved.  It really is the little things in life that sometimes matter most.  Sometimes we don't realize how much a simple note, or phone call can make someone's day.  I am going to try a bit harder to make sure I reach out a little more to all my friends and family because we never know what an impact it will have on that person.

3.Mr.  Rebates:

  Ok, I know I am behind on this, but earning money for online shopping is incredible.  My friend Katie told me about Mr. Rebates and I am hooked.  I think I earned over $30 ordering Christmas gifts on items I would have purchased anyways. Who doesn't want to make money by spending money?  I also signed up for ebates, but in my opinion Mr. Rebates offers better stores and gives you a higher percentage back on your spending.  If you haven't signed up click HERE   I promise you will thank me. 

4. The big USA v. Russia men's Olympic hockey game is on tomorrow morning at 7:30 EST.  Pittsburgh is a huge hockey town so several bars are opening at 7:00 am so that everyone can watch the game.  I am tempted to hit up a local bar and partake in the fun, but at the same time watching the game in the warmth of my home in pajamas with a mimosa sounds just as nice.  Will you be watching the game?

...and finally

5.  Happy Valentine's Day to all of my friends, family and loves!!  I cannot imagine my life without any of you and I am so lucky to be surrounded by so many fabulous people who are always there for me.  I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day with your favorites.

 

 

 

 

XOXO

#tbt Throw Back Thursday: My Pittsburgh Bridal Shower

   I am finally getting around to blogging about my incredible Pittsburgh bridal shower hosted by two of my bridesmaids ALV and LES.   I wanted to wait until I had all of the pictures from my mom before I did a post.  So here it is only six months later. This is going to be picture heavy, but amazing.  #tbt

   In August ALV and LES threw me a high tea bridal shower at the Inn on Negley in Shadyside which could not have been more perfect. 

My bridesmaid Sarah flew in from NYC for the big event. 

My parents and sister also came in from New Jersey for the weekend.  

The room was perfect for the shower and I loved that everyone was able to chat to each other at the table.  LES and ALV designed beautiful centerpieces with our wedding colors in mason jars and had pictures of DFH and I throughout the room.

ALV and JLP

Guests were given delicious flavored mimosas upon arrival.  

My MOH and two bridesmaids SRW and LES

Guests were able to pick a tea of their choosing and then we all indulged in this scrumptious selection of tea sandwiches, scones, and tarts and finger desserts.  I must have had two of everything. 

As a favor everyone was given a coffee mug to decorate.  Adding a craft to the event was too perfect for words.

It was a big decision deciding how to decorate your mug.  We also played a super fun trivia game where guests had to guess fun facts about me.

I not surprisingly decided to do a bride mug.  I mean you only get married once.  

JDM and I.

Guests were also provided a recipe card with their invitation and were asked to bring their favorite recipe for my collection.  I am obsessed with the fact that I now have a collection of all my friends and family's favorite recipes from both of my showers.  

 

The two hostesses with the mostess.  Fabulous party planners.

 

and the hostesses moms.

Again I was completely spoiled. 

DFH showed up and surprised me with a beautiful bouquet.

 

The backyard of the Inn had a stunning porch and incredible flowers so we ended the shower with a photo shoot.

All of the ladies.

Posing with hostess ALV

and hostess LES

Working on our dancing skills for the wedding

Best MOB ever.

Best MOH ever.

It was a picture perfect day in every way, a huge thank you and shout out to LES and ALV for planning an extraordinary shower. 

 

After the shower we had my family and a few friends over for a BBQ, drinks, and some corn hole. 

Dad and I

#throwbackthursday

#pittsburghshower

#takemeback

Charleston...Suggestions Wanted

VIA

 

   In less than a month I jet set from the currently frozen tundra of Pittsburgh to Charleston, SC to celebrate my 30th birthday ( eeek!) and hopefully add some color to this pale skin.   I have been to Charleston before, but always for specific events ( weddings and graduations), so usually most of the weekend was already planned.  This time I want to fully explore and discover what Charleston has to offer.  I am excited to be a total tourist.   I will be in Charleston for three nights in early March for a girl's weekend.  I want to visit some of the tourist attractions such as the battery, plantations, and maybe do a carriage tour and I also want to eat, eat, eat, drink, and shop!!  I would love some suggestions of your favorite restaurants, shops, and attractions.

VIA

  As of right now we are thinking about doing the Palmetto Carriage Tour and Boone Hall plantation.  Obviously we will also be putting in some time on King Street for some retail therapy. 

  For restaurants I want to mostly enjoy some low country southern food that I cannot get up north.  I have heard Husk is a must for drinks and have heard S.N.O.B., High Cotton, and Magnolia's are amazing.  I would love to know your favorites!!

Are there any other must see attractions? 

The Week in Review

     This past week was nuts!! I think I had meetings everyday after work for various things which didn't leave me much time to sit down and blog, but I wanted to share some of what I have been up to this week.

On Monday my friend ALV invited LES, ATK, and I to a Pens game which is always a great time. In my opinion going to a hockey game with all girls is always the perfect combination of sports and gossip. 

This past weekend we had our friends BHB and JLM in town from NJ.  It was BHB's 30th birthday so we were excited to celebrate with them. 

BHB loves to try unique foods so we took them to Cure in Lawrenceville for his birthday dinner.  Cure's menu was incredible and offered a ton of cured and unique cuts of meat.
 

For an appetizer we tried the Salumi plate which contained pigs head, duck speck, venison salami and a variety of other cured meats. I felt like I was on Bizarre Foods with the crazy things we tried.   For dinner DFH and I split the venison and lobster gnocchi and the Cassoulet which was a stew that contained venison sausage, pigs cheek, pork belly, and duck confit. 

 

 For drinks JLM and I tried the blood orange black currant champagne  which was delicious! I could have drank 10 of them. 



We ended the night at Industry to continue BHB's birthday celebration after dinner.  

BFF's

This may or may not have been the play list for our late night dance party. 

The rest of the weekend was spent eating drinking and shopping and showing off our city.  I love having friends in town and showing them the great city of Pittsburgh even in the cold.