2012. Let's Do This.

After quite possibly the longest blogging hiatus in all of blog land, I've decided that I would start it back right on New Years Day.  Okay, well the second day of the year, but I brainstormed all day about it if that counts.  To start off 2012 blogging, I figured I might as well have a little chatski about the upcoming year and what I think about it.

2012 has got a lot to live up to.  If I say so myself, 2011 was a pretty awesome year.  Sure there were parts that could be better, but overall, it's been pretty kickass and I wouldn't change too much.

I started off with 2011 right, by cheering on my Pittsburgh Penguins at the Winter Classic!  Although they lost, it was such a fun experience and the weather was pretty great too. (For Jan 1st that is)

I went to Las Vegas in March with a wonderful group of friends that included my bestie Alyssa, her fiance Bryan and one of his groomsmen, Rhett.  We had such a blast being tourists, even if the real reason we were there was to watch the boys play baseball.  In the desert.

I left Pittsburgh and made the best decision of my life to move to DC in May.  I love Pittsburgh and am proud to say thats where I'm from, but I definitely have a love affair with DC.  I have a fantastic roommate, my girlfriends all live across the street (and by street, I mean a busy pike, but thats okay) and I get to see them almost everyday.  I love being able to explore all that the city has to offer.

Speaking of my move, I found a job that I enjoy and allowed me to gain a wonderful new friend, Allison!  I love that we're scary similar, but she makes the work days enjoyable and the happy hours and weekends a blast.  2012 is our year.  No doubt about it!

In June, I was honored to be a bridesmaid in my friend Lisa's wedding.  It was amazing to be a part of her big day and I'm so excited for their future together.  And especially cause there is a bebe Lisa or bebe Pat brewin in her belly that will be making an appearance in June.  How old are we again??

In July, Alyssa and I went back to being 12 year olds and saw the one, the only, NKOTBSB.  Pretty sure our voices were not the same for a few days from all the screaming and hyperventilating, but we can officially die happy women.  Donnie Wahlberg, hello.  Nick Carter, you're still smokin.  That tour was probably the most genius thing they've ever done.

Don't get me wrong, I love myself some NKOTBSB, but really what I appreciate is a man in a pair of jeans, a plaid shirt (or in this case black tshirt) and a guitar.  Or Eric Church.  I'd much prefer the latter but I don't think his wife would think too highly of that.  Either way, it was a great concert, Toby Keith was awesome too.

Halloween weekend was one for the books this year.  It started off with an 80's concert and ended with a 4am bedtime, all while being things we aren't really.  (well, if I continue to recycle the football costume, I might just end up on the team).

This holiday season was amazeballs.  From celebrating low key with a housewarming party to the ugly sweater party, it definitely put us all in the Christmas spirit!

And to round off an amazing 2011 was a great night with my girlfrans.  And Third Eye Blind.  Who doesn't love ringing in 2012 with a little something from 1998?

So 2012, I dare you to be better than 2011.  I have no doubt that you'll give it your all with the excitement that's already planned.

I'm honored to stand next to this gal as her Maid of Honor as she marries her best friend.  I know that everything that is planned for this is going to be nothing short of amazing, and I can't wait for May 12th to get here.  All those high school nights browsing through the magazine section of Walmart peeking at the wedding magazines are being put to great use and I am so excited to see how beautiful it is going to be.  And fun.  It's going to be a lot of fun.  Better get writing that speech!

There is a little thing that happens the first week of June and I would DIE to go this year.  Do you know how many plaid shirts and great butts in blue jeans there would be?  Not to mention, my 25th birthday is this year...and that's a big deal, right? CoughcoughMOMcoughcough.

And while this gorgeous man wasn't under my tree this Christmas, perhaps he will waltz into my life this year.  And if it's not Ryan himself, maybe, just maybe someone else will.  Hopefully it's in a plaid shirt.


Let's get 2012 started right with a Penn State win!  We Are!!

Until next time,
-S

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