I Did Not Need That Nap

It's almost midnight.  Why am I even awake.  Maybe it's from that nap I took earlier due to my exhaustion of the weekend.  It's been quite the past week and a half since I've posted.  I'll start off with last weekend.

Penn State played at Temple and since Britt's family lives in Philly, they were so nice and threw a tailgate!  It was such a fun time.  Britt and I enjoyed a half day on Friday and made the little road trip (with a little detour through who knows where, all for some Chik-Fil-A.  Totally worth it) We arrived in Philly and Barb (Britt's mom) cooked an amazing dinner.  We had an early wake up call (5:50!) so we headed to bed and dreamt of football and tailgates.  We somehow managed to make it out of the house around 7:00 to get to Lincoln Financial Field by 7:45 to start the day off.  From there, the day only got better.

Myself, Liu and Britt up and at em!

Shotski's for everyone!

It's great when everyone can get together!

Britt was amazing and got me a ticket for the game for my birthday and I couldn't have been more excited!  Penn State did give me a little bit of an anxiety attack, seeing as I thought my high school football team showed up to play against Temple.  But with the support of us Nittany Lions, they were able to pull out a win and I could walk the streets of Philly proud!  

Yikes, my hair was out of control.  But we had awesome seats!

We Are!

It always seems like the most fun weekends are the ones that go by the fastest and that weekend was no exception.  I might be much more partial to the other city in Pennsylvania but I will admit, I would go back.  Maybe.

Last week was sort of a blur, nothing exciting really happened.  Just work.  And a kickball game in the rain.  But it did go pretty fast, just like this weekend.  Once again.  Yesterday probably should have been broken up into 3 days because so much went on.  It started off cheering for Penn State at an alumni bar in Arlington, to hanging out at a friends apartment, to heading back out into public around 10.  Can I just say that I might wear jeans, a jersey and Sperrys out every weekend?  I was beyond comfortable and had so much more fun than I would have been in a little skirt and super high heels.  (Sorry random girls, you looked REAL miserable)  Okay, who are we kidding, i'll absolutely be back to heels and nice outfits next weekend.  (I am a single lady after all, no boy wants to holler at the chick in the jersey.)

This outfit is wonderful.  Now if only I had the $$ to go and purchase everything I see on Pinterest.

I find it convenient that my mother reads my blog ;) ahem.

Who do I have to thank for never being able to wear something like this, cause we all know I HAVE to wear a bra (aka back brace) with EVERYTHING.

I'm lookin at you Tammy... :)

I figure I need to either make more money or not get on Pinterest and be envious of every. item. I. see.  But at this point, I don't think either is happening, so I might as well just suck it up and put it on a Christmas list for Santa.

Well, I should probably get to bed so I'm not the grumpiest human on earth tomorrow.

Until the next time,

-S

Little Late to the Party

So, I have a lot of blogging to catch up on, but before that, I wanted to post a giveaway one of my favorite bloggers All In My Twenties is doing.

I apologize for being a little late to the party, a busy night had me a little behind on catching up on my bloggers, but if you read this before 8:00am on 9/16, be sure to submit yourself for the AWESOME giveaway she's having.  You can find it here!

I'll be back soon to update ya'll on the fun week I had.  Kickball galore!

Talk soon,
xoxo
-S

"He Could Get Rid of Any Sorrows"

That was the text message sent to my mother after informing her what a stud Eric Church was.  Conversation went a little like this:

Me:  Eric Church=stud
Tammy:  Haha, make you feel better since PSU lost?
Me:  Oh yes, he could get rid of any sorrows

So, a few things we learned from this conversation.  Eric Church is a stud, and unfortunately, Penn State lost to Bama.

Okay, so I wasn't as dramatic as that nugget, but I was still pretty bummed, but couldn't stay sad for too long since the day was so great yesterday.  Well, for the most part.  

I woke up bright and early so I could FINALLY go get my Maryland drivers license.  I had all the appropriate forms of ID, however, in the 72 pieces of mail I took to verify my address, they could only accept one.  ONE PIECE.  I was already a crankosauras because the line was to timbucktu and it was early, on a Saturday.  So, basically, I waited in line for an hour for them to tell me I didn't have enough verification that I lived at that address.  So, I'll be applying for a voters registration card and hauling my butt back there to wait in another hour long line.  Yeesh.

So, after I threw myself a little pity party, watched 27 Dresses (again), I picked up Kate and we headed into DC to watch the PSU/Bama game with Allison.  Since we were early, we asked that the one television closest to us be changed to the Mississippi St/Auburn game and the precious bartender happily obliged.  When that game ended and our game was to begin shortly, a group at the table next to us asked that the television be changed to the US Open.  Excuse me?  Tennis?  Your table of dudes want to change the television to tennis as the table behind you of girls in football gear wait patiently for their game?  Luckily that's pretty much what the bartender said when asked.
"You're at a sports bar on College Football Saturday.  We can't change the big TV to tennis.  Priorities, man."
Thank you.  So once we watched a good bit of the game, chowed down on some pulled pork BBQ and the clock hit about 6, we headed out for our concert.

Since my GPS decided to give us the scenic route all through DC, we got at the concert a little later than we hoped and hauled butt into the pavilion because we could hear the stud that is Eric Church beginning to play.

oh, hey boo.

He had a pretty awesome looking set.

So we were able to catch most of his set and I'm not going to lie, but the money I spent on the ticket, I would have been content just seeing him.  He was that good.  Or maybe it's because he's easy on the eyes.  Either way, I was a happy girl at 9 when he wrapped up.  Toby Keith finally came on and put on an awesome show.  I've seen him once before, and this might have topped the first concert.  Not sure if it had to do with being the weekend of 9/11 and he might just be the most patriotic singer out there, but it was a great show.  I think a good time was had by all!

The best attempt of taking a pic of the three of us

Kate and Allison

I always have such a fun time at these concerts, and now I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that Jason Aldean makes his way to DC next summer.  Just one more thing to cross off the list!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!  I'll be spending the afternoon trying not to cry as I watch these 9/11 memorials on tv, with a bit of football thrown in!

Until the next time,

-S

For The Glory

It's finally football season!!  It doesn't seem that long ago that I watched my Steelers lose in The Super Bowl (still stings) and my Nittany Lions lose in the Outback Bowl (burns just a little), but winter, spring and summer have passed and it's time for a clean slate.  Penn State took on Indiana State this past weekend, and it was nice to get a "W" but I'm super anxious for the game coming up this weekend.


Alabama.  As in #3 Alabama.  While we are ranked #23, I feel an upset creepin up in Happy Valley.  I think the players are going to play this game for Joe Pa, knowing that this will be the last time he gets to beat those pesky Crimson Tide.  I've been reading up on my PSU/Bama "rivarly" if you will, and came across an article written by an Alabama reporter and I couldn't agree more with his conclusion:


"This game at Penn State in the midst of a “White Out” may very well be the final game in this long and storied tradition of Penn State and Joe Paterno and the Crimson Tide, but if there’s anything that many a sportswriter has learned about Paterno, it’s never to say never.

In this series, the one that’s supposed to win doesn’t always win. Most games are close ones and we’ve all seen that anything can happen."

If anyone cares to read the rest of the history of the rivalry, it can be found here:

Also, this is another big game because Allison is a Bama alum.  So, work will have their hands full tomorrow as we may or may not speak to each other in preparation for this.  (Who are we kidding, our co-workers would be LUCKY if Allison and I weren't making pit stops at each others desk all the live long day)

To all my girlfrans going to Happy Valley this weekend, pack your white and have a ball!!

PS..BTW.  While we're on the topic of Penn State, I'm going to Philly next weekend to tailgate for the PSU/Temple game and cannot think of a dern thing to wear!

This is super cute, but, it'll be the middle of September, and I'm not below the Mason Dixon line.  Ugh, one more reason I should be tailgating down South.

I found a blog, The Belles of Saturday and they have SO many cute tailgating attire ideas.  Of course, they're all typically given for schools in the south and I haven't come across too many navy items, but I'm always looking!  

I found this cute conglomeration of ideas from Pinterest, but it might still be a tad bit toasty for a sweatshirt, but maybe for the Nebraska game.

NFL season kicked off tonight, and I can't wait to see my Stillers take on the Ravens.  Also received some sad news that my hubby Peyton "Peytie Pie" Manning will most likely be out for the rest of the season.  Here's hoping that fellow PSU alum Kerry Collins can do what he did for the Titans and take the Colts to the post season.  (Where they will then play the Steelers, and one will then go on to the Super Bowl!)

Well, back to watching the Packers womp on the Saints.  It's a crying shame Aaron Rodgers got rid of that facial hair.

Am I right?  Allison?  Okay, boyfriend looks great either way.

Hope everyone is having a great week!!

Until the next time,

-S

I Can Smell the Fall

These past couple mornings have been a wonderful sign of what's to come.  I love turning on my television and seeing that it's in the high 60's lower 70's in the morning because that means a few things:

1.  I won't be a sweaty mess walking to the metro.

2.  My hair might actually be able to be worn in some sort of fashion other than a ponytail.

3.  Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks are coming soon!

That's right, on Tuesday, September 6th, I will be rocking a scarf and closed toed shoes to work because I will be getting my first PSL of the season.  (So it better not be above 70 degrees before 9am, otherwise I'll feel a bit ridiculous).

They're not kidding when they say that.

I'm also excited for fall because of the clothes I'll get to wear.  I can't wait to break out the boots and leggings and long tunics and scarves (oh my!).  If I had to dream of my perfect outfit, this might be it.

Chambray=LOVE

I'm so ready for the long weekend and celebrate Labor Day with the entire fam!  Here's hoping Tamwe doesn't spend all weekend vacuuming and dusting!  

Until the next time,

-S

I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet

Carole King said it best.  Last week was certainly a crazy one, and one that seemed like it took forever to happen.

It started off with the "Monday Night Dinner" girls having a night out at a place called Clyde's Tower Oaks Lodge.  When we found out that it was half of bottles of vino, we knew we were going to have a good time, but little did we know the rest of Rockville was going to be having a good time with us.  As we pulled up to the place, I wasn't sure if I should have had my tennis racket with me or brought my skis.  It was the last thing I was expecting.

The place was packed!  It had all sorts of people, dressed up (not us) to the more casual (definitely us).  Lil Liu and I tried the Carolina Mason Jar which was a mason jar (duh) packed with all sorts of deliciousness.  I would have taken a photo, but I don't need to be reminded of what I ate.  I think next time we go, we'll be more prepared to have a great time, but sometimes the nights you're not prepared for are when you have the most fun!  (That's for talking about Saturday, oy.)

Tuesday rolls around and was a day that I probably won't ever forget.  I think that sounds very dramatic, but at the time, it was.  The work day was going just as it always does.  Allison made a little pit stop at my desk to chat and as we're gossiping (about lumberjacks I'm sure) the ground started to shake.  It was a little weird, the thought of the people doing construction outside of our building crossed my mind, but was quickly erased when the whole building started to shake.  I don't mean a little shake either, it was a full on things rattling off desks and when we heard furniture on the floor above us falling, we immediately thought the worse.  Being that our building is right next to the Capitol, of course you can't help but think that we might have been under attack.  Allison and I panicked and the two other coworkers in my corner ran out of the office.  Allison went into "beast mode" and flew down all the stairs, and when I mean flew, I mean I don't think she touched any of the steps.

I like to think this is what it looked like.

As we waited outside we only got more scared hearing that The Hill was being evacuated, but couldn't really see if anything was going on.  Once word got around that it was an earthquake we were allowed to go in the building to gather our belongings and leave for the day.  I'm thinking it wasn't a coincidence this earthquake just around the time that happy hour started.  No?  Either way, as we watched the news it was kind of crazy to think we experienced it, only 87 miles from where it originated.

On Wednesday, I celebrated Allison's birthday at dinner with her family and friends at a restaurant called Founding Farmers.  It.  Was.  Amazing.  I highly recommend it to anyone in the DC area, if you haven't tried it.  I'm sure I might be the only one who hasn't, but it was delicious.  Two thumbs up.  Way up.

Finally my birthday made it on Friday.  I was glad it was on a weekend this year and I celebrated with Allison and Kate.  We enjoyed happy hour at Dirty Martini in Dupont and once we felt like we weren't dressed for the occasion (no one told us that it was New Years Eve) we headed to a new place called Jack Rose.  It had a great rooftop bar that is going to be amazing in the fall when it's not so hot and the men start wearing their plaid flannel.  :)  Seemed like a perfect place for them to wear it.   

                                                      

(or I'd just take Ryan Gosling.  He doesn't even have to wear the plaid)

Saturday, ohhh Saturday.  My head hurts to think about you.  Like I said before, it always seems to be the nights when you don't plan on much, that all the crazy happens.  So, all week, everyone was talking about this Irene and how she was going to wreak havoc on the east coast and no one should be outside.  Well, that didn't stop us from celebrating Allison's birthday.  We found out a bar, Sign of the Whale, was having a hurricane party.  Perfect.  So we headed there and made tons of new friends.  Friends wearing their swim trunks, friends wearing their snorkel gear.  Friends from Cali, friends from Wyoming.  It was just a very friendly night.  Seeing that it was our birthday weekend, we only felt it was appropriate to make friends with the DJ who was so nice enough to rock our favorite country songs (of course in between any songs having to do with natural disasters.)  While we were there, I guess that's when the worst of it hit DC.  

Thankfully, the worst of it wasn't terrible and we just got a lot of rain.  There were some parts of the city with trees just laying on tops of cars but I know we should be grateful for the lack of damage it did compared to the rest of the east coast.

This week is one to rest up for sure.  I can't wait for Labor Day to go up to PA and spend it with my family.  

Until the next time,

-S

Birthday Weekend Before the Birthday Weekend

It was such a great weekend, and I was glad I was able to celebrate my birthday a week before it arrives with my friends down here.  I felt like I did so much in this little 3 day time frame then I have in a weekend since I moved down here.

Friday after work, Allison and I decided to head straight to Redline in Chinatown and it was great.  Other than the fact that their air conditioning and broken and everyone was sweaty, the drinks made it okay.  My girlfriends from Penn State, Brittany and Amy joined us and the bartender was so nice he gave us complimentary glasses of champagne.  Maybe it was the confused look we gave everyone that was coming up to the bar and saying random band names and getting free champagne that did it, but we felt very Sex &  the City like sitting with our glasses.  All four of us.  I wonder which character I would be?  Hopefully not Samantha by default of the same name.  I'm not nearly as fashionable as Carrie even though I would kill for some of her wardrobe.  Oh well, something to think about another day.  After Redline we headed to Rocket Bar and had a great time requesting country songs on the jukebox in between jams of 50 cent and Lil Wayne.  It was a great evening, but I was definitely ready for bed probably 2 hours before my head landed on the pillow.

Saturday was the perfect day to lay poolside, which conveniently B & A have in their complex so there we headed.  After putting in some hours in the sun, we decided we were going to go to the baseball game.  Now, I don't cheer for the Nationals or the Phillies (womp womp) but, I am not one to turn down a sporting event.  No Sir.  And I have to say that I love everything about the Nationals stadium.  The 2 bars they have outside centerfield gate is just bustling with young people that it's a great place to meet new friends!  Since the Phillies were in town, the stadium was packed.  There wasn't really much of watching the game going on, just a lot of chatting and enjoying each others company.

Myself, Brittany, Kate and Amy enjoying bevies and baseball

Today was perfect to wrap up a good weekend.  Amy and I had brunch with Kate and her boyf at Cheesecake Factory and then laid low while it monsooned outside.  Let's hope that weather passes before I have to walk to work tomorrow!  This girl's hair doesn't play well with rain, or humidity, or really anything for that matter.  I hope everyone had a great weekend!  T-5 days til the big 2-4!!

Until the next time,

-S

I Love You This Big

So the day was just a typical Thursday.  Nothing exciting happened, eager for Friday to be here.  So as my friend Allison and I were rushing to the metro, we had a little celebrity run in.  Maybe not little, depends how much of a reality television fan you are.  Well, this girl loves herself some good reality tv, so imagine my surprise when I saw this guy being all touristy in the nations capital!

I turned to Allison, grabbed her arm and said "Scotty!!" It might have been a few octaves higher than normal, but who can blame me.  After she collected herself from the heart attack I gave her screaming in her face, she asked what I was going to do about my sighting.  After about 2 seconds of contemplating, I trucked towards him getting my phone out of my purse.  I went up got his attention and asked for a picture.  Where those guts came from are beside me, but I did it!  He was nice and his deep southern drawl was just adorable.  After some confusion with my old school phone and apparently drawing a crowd, mission accomplished.

As we scurried away like little school girls, we headed down the escalator only to have it stop mid run.  Let's talk about the disaster that could have been.  Not safe DC Metro, not safe.

I would have to say this Thursday ended up not being too shabby.  Sure made up for the rainstorm I got caught in on my walk home!

Until the next time,

-S

And We're Off!

My first entry.  Does this make me a blogger?

I'll try not to get ahead of myself, but I'm beyond excited (and nervous too, is that weird) to start my first blog.  I'm not sure what sort of direction this will go in, hopefully it's not as scatterbrained as I can be, but it's a start.

I'm sure the majority of what I will talk about is finally being on my own.  Hence the title of my blog.  I messaged my mother saying I wanted to start a blog but couldn't come up with the best part, the title.  She threw out the phrase "cutting the apron strings".  I had never heard of the saying, and thought she was talking about cooking/baking/making. All of which I cannot do.  So, I googled it (what would we do without google) and found out it means parents letting go of their children and vice versa.  Seeing as I'm officially a grown up now, working my 9-5er, paying rent, utilities, transportation, and everything in between, without the help of mom and dad, I thought this was a perfect title.  I put a little spin on it and here we have Snipping The Apron Strings.

Starting this blog I think will also let me share with you my experiences in my new hometown.  D.C. sure isn't Pittsburgh, and while I'm proud to be a Pittsburgh gal, I couldn't be happier to start my adult life here.  There are so many things to do, so many people to see (which I've found out, on D.C. public transportation could be it's own blog) it was one of the best decisions, if not the best one I've made to come here.

So, now that my little love affair with D.C. is over, I hope my blog will be of enjoyment to those who stumble upon it.  I'll do my best to make it so that you'll be back for more, just like I am with all the blogs I follow, but please leave any bits of advice you might have.

Until the next time,

-S