Random Thoughts of a Houstonian

Thursday, nice to see you again. I remember in college Thursday was my absolute favorite day of the week. Even though it technically wasn't the weekend yet it always felt like it. My freshman year (even though I had Friday classes) I remember every Thursday I would get picked up by my former BFF,  head to our friend Joel's house for some "pre-gaming", and around 10:30 we would head out to the Aggie-loved Texas Hall of Fame. We always had a pretty great group. I heard recently that they closed the Hall, makes me so sad. Some of my best memories of college are from nights at the Hall.



A shot of the place on your "typical" Thursday night. Man this makes me sad. :(

Anyways, now Thursday typically means a 50 minute commute home (an hour now-a-days with the dang construction), picking up Trevor, working out, cooking dinner, and watching Grey's Anatomy followed by Jersey Shore. Occasionally we will hit up a happy hour, especially the once a month "Aggie Happy Hour". By the way, if you’re an Aggie, you live in Houston and haven't heard of Howdy Club yet, check this out! Howdy Club

Anyways, Thursday means tomorrow is Friday and that my friends, is awesome.

On Wednesday I got called a "Professional Bridesmaid", and that made me laugh for a good 3 minutes. (Thank you Jen) It's a fairly accurate statement. I have been a bridesmaid in two weddings previously and am going to be in 3 in 2012.

(Not quite to this level yet, but getting close :)

One is actually only 24 days away and we have the bachelorette party next weekend. Myself and the other MOH, Marina, have been planning it since September so we are very excited for the big weekend to be so close. After getting asked advice from several girls on how go go about planning bachelorette parties, I plan on doing a couple of posts on "The planning of Bachelorette Parties", because I know when faced to plan one with no experience can be quite the challenge. Stay tuned.

I don't know why I do this to myself but I am NOTRORIUS for saying I can't wait for a relaxing weekend and then fill up an entire month's worth of weekends. Starting in February I am completely busy every single weekend. I mean all plans totally worth it, but come March I am going to go into hibernation. Next weekend is the bachelorette party, as I've already mentioned. The second weekend is a holiday that is after my own heart...it's the start of Mardi Gras.

Galveston Mardi Gras

Being a Cajun, Mardi Gras is up there with Christmas, and 4th of July. Every year of my life, I am almost positive that I have always gone to a Mardi Gras Celebration. And this year is no exception. (Even though the past two years, I have had to settle with only participating in the 1st weekend because of, you'll never guess, wedding stuff! "Sigh") I'm counting down the days till I'm down in Galveston listening to that Zydeco music and catching beads (NO FLASHING!!!) with a cold beverage in hand. 15 to go....

The third weekend in February is the ACTUAL wedding that goes with the bachelorette party and the following weekend is Trevor's company appreciation party, which is going to be a lot of fun. Not only is it at the Aquarium Downtown and has all the food/beverages you can handle but two of our best friends, J.C. and Marina will also be there since that is where J.C. works too.

Houston is seriously bi-polar or maybe just a crazy woman. It was in the 70's and sunny all last week then yesterday we get this massive storm that floods places and causes tornadoes, now today it's cold and partly cloudy. #overit

The very vague subject that I keep bringing up in my blog that is causing me stress is actually on an upswing now. Praying so much that is continues to do so, and then I can finally share my January woes in more detail. :)

Enough rambling for now, have a great Thursday dolls.

A Back Problem & Wedding Season

Happy Friday Dolls!

I don't know about you all but this week was, yet again, another tough on, but seems to wrapping up pretty well.

My week started going down a bad path on Sunday evening around 11PM when I went to move my dog over and somehow managed to really hurt myself. As in when I moved her I had this shooting pain that went up my back and landed right around my right shoulder blade. Now, I had NEVER had any kind of back issues and I work out 3-5 times a week (which is suppose to help this kind of stuff) so I was unpleasantly surprised when the Doc told me I had a pretty bad sprain. However, I was PLEASENTLY surprised when he gave me way too many a very large prescription of Hydrocodone and some muscle relaxers. I am very anti-pain pill but I had to give in this time. I ended up staying home from work on Tuesday and rested/slept in a druggy daze. Work Wednesday was still pretty bad, but since yesterday I haven't taken anything besides some Tylenol. (So don't worry, you will not be seeing me on "True Life: I'm addicted to pain pills" anytime soon). Today I feel just a slight discomfort; it seems the sprain is healing quite nicely.

If you were look down at my desk calander, and or my outlook calander, the type of even that I is HEAVILY present is weddings; wedding showers, bachelorette parties, "Hail to the Male" parties (dude version of a shower) and of course the big days. I am in not one, not two, but three weddings this year. (One big day that is actually only a 4 short weeks away, with a shower this weekend, and the bachelorette party in 2 weeks) We also have two other weddings that we will just be attendants at. But don't get the wrong idea, I am not complaining at all. I am very honored and very thankful that I have three women in my life that think enough of me to be a part of their big days.

With all this wedding activity comes lots of time browsing wedding stuff online (and a loss in your bank account...Kidding! but seriously). Sometimes for one of the girls and yes, I'll admit it sometimes for my own interest. Hey, girls got a right to look, right? Anyways, I wanted to share a few of my favorite things that I have stumbled across on my beloved Pinterest. You don't have to be engaged, married, or even in a relationship to love looking at wedding stuff. Let's face it, there is some beautiful stuff out there and it's fun to pick out things you would like, your best friend would like, and even stuff you would NEVER want on your big day. :)

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I know that everyone has probably seen this before, but if you haven't, it's a really cute way to be photographed before the wedding without breaking the tradition. Umm, can we say adorable!

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 I know this has been pinned like a million times on Pinterest, but wow. I can't imagine a more beautiful wedding hair style. (My opinion, plus Trevor hates up-dos) I will definitely be splurging on extensions the day I ever walk down an aisle in a white dress.

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On your big day, you take a million and one pictures posing, smiling, attempting to be serious, ect, but photos like this are my absolute favorite. You really see in this shot how happy the bride and her bridesmaid are, jumping on the bed like little girls. It's just perfect.

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This picture I can't say a lot about, but I know that if you love your animal as much as I do, you feel exactly how I do when you look at this. :')

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It's hard enough to get the un-married dudes at a wedding to catch the garter, BUT you thrown a football at them, I believe you chances of them ACTUALLY going for it would go up significantly. It's like a reflex for them. Awesome idea.

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"Sigh" Lighting, black and white decor, chairs, and table settings, this is just stunning. Let's just hope we all hit the lottery if we want this set up at wedding of 200. :)

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If you look closely, you will count 10 bridesmaids and 10 groomsmen. (You may not see them all but there are other shots at this wedding at, yes, there were 10 each) Now friends of mine have told me different things about you size or your wedding party. Some have said "Oh you don't want too many, it looks tacky", and some have said "I wish I would have put everyone I wanted in it and not what I was supposed to do". After hearing different opinions, I say, put how every many people you want, screw everyone else's opinion. It's your day not theirs. If you have 10 people that you care enough about that you want them to be by your side, do it. If you only have 2, do it.

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I'm not saying this are my style but they definitely are unique. I love seeing original wedding invitations, save the dates, and thank you cards. Something that makes you stand out from the typical fancy cursive, "Queen of England" type on invitation. IN KNOW WAY am I saying your lame if you do typical invitation, it's just cool when you see something new in an industry where is seems nearly everything has been done.

Well, that's enough wedding-ish stuff for now. Apologies to any guy who reads my blog regularly and got this today. Girls and weddings, it's like strawberries and whip cream. It's definitely wedding season you guys. Every other week I see engagement, shower, and wedding photos popping up on facebook. Congratulations to all those out there who just got engaged, who are about to get married, and those who are fresh out of the honeymoon and enjoying their new married life.

Now I will be spending the rest of the morning playing on pinterest working extremely hard and counting down till noon when I get to have lunch with two of my favorite, already married ladies, (and two of my best friends) Marina and Jessica.

Cheers to the weekend & happy Friday dolls!

Random Thoughts of a Houstonian

I'm starting this new segment of posts called "Random Thoughts of a Houstonian". I find it fitting since many days I feel like I don't have one specific thing to make a blog post worth reading but may have 10 little things going on that are "read worthy". I also got this great post idea from my fellow blogger, fellow fish camp counselor, and friend Kelli. You really should check out her blog. She picked up her life here in Texas and now lives in New York City, kind of a big change. Her blog is very well written and filled with very humorous moments. Check it out, Howdy from NYC; I promise you, it will be worth the click.

Today is Friday the 13th. There are actually 3 this year. Now I don't count myself and superstitious or anything like that but I do have a couple things that I tend to find "unlucky". Most of my friends laugh at me for this one, but I am seriously not a fan of odd numbers. I don't like them, there is just something "odd" about them. (I'm actually laughing out loud at how corny that really was). Now you would think with me not liking odd numbers that Friday the 13th would be day I would hate, but actually all the Friday 13ths in the past have actually been pretty good days for me. Since this year has been particularly stressful thus far, I am hoping that today, Friday the 13th, 2012 that my luck will finally change and good things will begin to happen. (Positive thinking=Positive Action???, we shall see). Do you think Friday the 13th in an "Un-Lucky" day?

If you read yesterday's blog you already know that I am beyond excited about 3 of my best girlfriends from college coming down to Houston this weekend. It's been quite a long time since we have all been together, and even longer since it wasn't at a football game. (Aggie Football, duh!) I am counting down until 7:30 when Lauryn and Kristin will arrive and also until 10:30/11:00 when Heather will be in Houston finally. :) (To read yesterday's post, click here)

There are many incredibly awesome things about living in Houston

The Galleria.

7th largest mall in the nation 5 miles from my house, I'm totally okay with this. (My bank account begs to differ)

Reliant Park (GO TEXANS! BTHO Balitmore!), Toyota Center, and Minute Maid Park.

3 professional sports venues and teams=lots of fun things to do; football/basketball/baseball/soccer games, concerts, and the always fun Houston Rodeo.

Any type restraunt, bar, club, or wine place that you could think of.

BUT....with all these great things in one giant circle of a city, it creates a bit of traffic problems....

(Stepping onto soap box) Now not only my morning route getting out of the Heights is under construction, NOW getting of 290 onto 610N is down to one lane...ONE LANE, ARE YOU IDIOTS?!?! And the best part about the traffic is that every morning and every evening I drive by these two spots I don't see a single soul working on ANYTHING, EVER!!!%@#$!@#$#% Houston, please fix them or open it back up. (Stepping off soap box)

Does anyone still make a wish on 11:11? I mean I know that was the thing to do back in the day, but I have to admit I definitely still do that every time I catch it. I take the wish very seriously and carefully think each wish through before making the wish...too much?

I started wearing a watch that my Grandparents gave me for Christmas. My grandfather told me that people who wear watches look more professional because it makes them see as if they have places to be. I am also impossibly late to nearly everything. (Trying to be more on time was Trevor and I's "Couple" New Year's Resolution, It's been hard so far)

Hopefully the "more professional" thing works.

And lastly I leave you with yet another Chanel picture.

 She is a BIG fan of the Lion King. :)

Have a wonderful, amazing, and safe weekend dolls!

2012/20-hell, New Year's Eve, and a Girl's Weekend

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Okay so I'm about 12 days late, my apologies fellow blog readers. 2012 so far has been a bit of a pain in my ass at times. There is a certain area in my life that I am not pleased with and it seems like no matter what I do I cannot catch a break. Since the internet is less that a safe place for private information that is all I can really say on the matter but it's definitely put a damper on the year so far for me.

BUT hard times are part of life, and God put us on this earth because he knew we could handle it. So with that being said I want to share with you some things that have helped make 2012 a little less 20-Hell.

Ringing in the ACTUAL New Year.

I have to say my actual New Year's Eve was fabulous. I got to bring in 2012 at a local favorite spot, The Corkscrew, which is a wine bar in the Heights, with some of my best friends and the always wonderful boyfriend.

The whole group at the Corkscrew

Myself, Ashley, and Brittany.

The Surbers, Marina & J.C. and Trevor & I.

Trevor and I enjoying the vino.

A much needed "Girl's weekend"

This up-coming weekend "the girls" (minus Emily who is understandably busy enjoying her newborn nephew) will be reunited in Houston. Heather, Kristin, and Lauryn will all be coming in tomorrow and I can honestly say this girl's weekend could not have come at a better time. With 2012/20-hell being a royal bitch so far I can't wait to have my girls here in Houston with me. Now don't get me wrong, I have some wonderful girlfriends here in Houston but since I went from seeing these 4 multiple times a week to maybe a couple times every six months it's going to be awesome to have us all finally together again! Below are a few photos from some of our good times together. 

Lauryn and I, South Padre 2010. We enjoy hop scotching..

 

Heather and I at one of our many girl's nights in College Station. We enjoy margaritas.

 Myself, Lauryn, Emily, South Padre Spring Break. We enjoy dancing.

Kristin, Myself, Heather, and Lauryn on a College Station Summer Night.

Myself, Heather, Lauryn, and Emily, Ring Dance 2010. We enjoy watching our friend get engaged. :)

These girls all have a part of my heart. My life wouldn't be whole without them. No matter how little or how often we see each other we will all always bee friends.

 "Maybe our girlfriends are our soul mates and guys are just people to have fun with"

-Sex in the City-

And lastly, everyday I get to go home to this little dog

 And this amazing man.

These 2 keep my sane when I have lost all my marbles. I thank God every day for such an amazing man that I get to call mine and the little peice of heaven that is Chanel.

Happy Thursday Dolls.