Happy Birthday, Kris!

Happy birthday to my fabulous husband!  Today he turned 29 on the 29th - which means it's his once-in-a-lifetime-special birthday!  Of course, it's not a birthday unless you celebrate with sushi, ice cream cake, and presents  :-)

Hello, Spring

Let me just start out by saying that I had such a fun weekend!  The weather really made this weekend fantastic, regardless of my activities.  Even though Saturday and Sunday were a little cooler than Friday (when I had to be stuck in my office, of course), it was still warm enough to wear a new spring coat and cute flats, and it was comfortable to walk around outside. 

Kris was away this weekend, so I spent the weekend doing fun girly things!  On Saturday, I met up with my old roommate from law school at Arundel Mills Mall by BWI Airport.  I love this mall because it's a huge outlet mall with a lot of great stores.  We had a yummy lunch at a brewing company (I got the Ultimate Grilled Cheese - delish), and then we spent the day shopping 'til we dropped!  And when I say dropped, I mean that I had to limp to Old Navy to get a pair of flip-flops because I had a terrible blister on my heel.  I was a little upset that we never made it to Off Broadway Shoes, but my blister was killing me, and our hands were full of bags!  Here are some of the awesome things that I picked up.



Coral linen blazer for $36.50 at Charlotte Russe



Floral summer dress for $7 at Old Navy



Bright floral print cardigan for $14.98 at Ann Taylor Factory Store



Amazing taupe leather jacket with ruffle trim (it goes all the way around the back!) for $41.99 at Wilson's Leather Outlet

Super cute heather gray dress with ruffled neckline for $44.99 at (get ready for this) DressBarn



Another super cute work dress from DressBarn - $44.99



Black faux leather clutch with rosettes for $19.99 at DressBarn



 As you can tell, I am overly excited about my new purchases.  I was extremely shocked to walk by DressBarn and see all of the cute dresses that they have!  As expected, they have a wide variety of motherly looks, but it's not everything!  It was definitely worth the trip inside.





On Sunday, I spent a fun day in DC with two of my best friends from college.  One of them is getting married in November (Weeeee!!), so we took a trip to Dupont Circle and tried on some bridesmaid dresses.  The bride selected the designer (http://www.ariadress.com/), the color (navy), and the silhouette (knee-length A-line), and each bridesmaid gets to choose the top's style.  If you go to the website, you will see that there are so many options to choose from!  We had a fun time trying on all of the different styles.  My favorite was this vintage-inspired halter dress that ties around the neck. 

Afterwards, we stopped for a treat - froyo!  It's days like yesterday when I miss living in DC the most.  On the way to and from the dress shop, we passed the National Mall, the Capitol Building, and the museums.  There were so many people out and about, sight-seeing and enjoying the beautiful day.  So to end a perfect day in the city, we stopped for a grilled Nathan's hot dog  :-) 

This Little Monkey Is One

This weekend was jam-packed with more fun birthday celebrations!  On Saturday, we celebrated Nathaniel's first birthday.  Nathaniel is the son of one of my good friends.  We shared backyards growing up, so we are basically family!  Unfortunately, his mommy was sick, so she didn't have too much fun at the party.  But that didn't stop Nathaniel from having a blast being one!



After Nathaniel's party, we met my parents to celebrate my birthday.  Usually when I go home to visit my parents, we go to Red Robin for a burger - and my birthday is no exception!  This time, though, my burger was free because Red Robin emails you a Birthday Burger during the week of your birthday!  And don't worry, I had my Birthday Sundae, too!

When we arrived home on Saturday, I had the perfect treat waiting for me in my mailbox - my new Us Weekly!  I had been a loyal Us Weekly reader throughout law school, but after graduation, I never renewed my subscription because I was so busy studying for two bar exams (yes, I said two) and planning my wedding.  So for my birthday this year, I decided it was time to start up my subscription again.  When I opened to the first page, I saw Halle Berry in an Elie Saab Haute Couture gown, which is the same designer as Mila Kunis' Oscars gown.  At first glance, I thought it was the same gown in a different color, but it's not.  Halle is smokin' hot and looks gorgeous - I can't decide which I like best!  Both gowns have the sexy lace peekaboos and the cute ribbon waistline - I think it's a tie!

Halle at an event in Beverly Hills February 22nd



Mila at the Oscars

On Sunday, we lounged around the house and decided to make ourselves a nice, big meal.  That's the one thing about Sundays that I enjoy - you have all day to make something really tasty that you can't cook during the week.  We are in love with making rack of lamb, but the grocery store doesn't always have it in stock.  When they do, we buy them all up and store them in our freezer until we can make them.  Lucky for us, the butcher at the grocery store wanted to have sex with me, so we got $3 off each rack!   

   

Here is a modified recipe:

After you trim the fat off of each rack, cover the lamb with dijon mustard, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese.  Bake in the oven for about 45 minutes for medium, a little longer if you like it more well done.  If the outside isn't crispy enough for you, turn the broiler on for the last 5-10 minutes.  To serve, cut the rack into pieces so it's easier to eat.  We make two racks because one isn't big enough to share.  We paired it with some long grain and wild rice and brussel sprouts (I didn't eat those).  YUM!  Honestly, this lamb is better than any steak I have ever prepared at home - and I'm a steak girl! 

Happy Almost Birthday to Me!

Let the countdown begin to my favorite holiday each year - MY BIRTHDAY!  Only 27 hours and 3 minutes until I officially turn 27.  This weekend, I kicked off my birthday celebrations with a night out in Philly.  We had a great time celebrating with a Chik-Fil-A nugget tray, champagne, and CAKE!  You can't tell by my picture, but the inside of this delicious funfetti cake was tie-dyed!  

Of course, it isn't a birthday without presents!  My best friend, Kelly, got me these awesome rainboots.  Strangely enough, I had seen these rainboots on Endless.com, but they didn't have my size.  So clearly, I enjoy this present very much!  PS - I have a Scottie fetish  :-)

Happy Birthday, Laura!

Last night, we went to Baltimore to celebrate my good friend from law school, Laura's, 30th birthday!  And what better way to celebrate a birthday than with red velvet cupcakes and vodka cocktails.  My cocktail of choice was a blueberry pomegranate martini - delish!  Unfortunately, two of our other good friends from law school couldn't make it to the party, but that didn't stop the birthday girl from having a blast!  She had so much fun at her party that she went to bed when we left for the bar.  I guess that's what happens when you reach your 30's!  :)



The birthday girl!  Doesn't look a day over 29 to me!

Completely unrelated but equally as fabulous, please check out this ah-mazing Limited blazer that I purchased yesterday at Ross for only $12.99!  Who's ready for spring?!