Sunday, July 31, 2011

Watermelon - Stawberry-Lemon Booze Coolers


I had some watermelon that was on the brink last week, so I cut it up and froze it for later.  And thank goodness I did, because S2H came up with an amazing booze-y creation to celebrate a great weekend with friends and our 3 year dating anniversary.  Here it goes...

Serving Size: 2
-2 cups of frozen watermelon chunks
-Juice of 2 lemons
-1/4 cup of simple syrup
-1/2 cup of vodka
-splash of strawberry flavored vodka
-1/2 cup of club soda (we used sodium free)

Blend the watermelon chunks with lemon juice.  Slowly add simple syrup.  Once everything is blended add the vodka(s).  Divide club soda among two iced filled glasses and pour watermelon mix to the brim!  Garnish with a fresh lemon or strawberry, enjoy!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

frizz, photo shoot, & fun

S2H and I were lucky enough to snag a Sunday afternoon with Lindsay Alexander last month for our official engagement photos!  Luck would have it that Lindsay was in DC to capture the most amazing wedding of my work sister, Erin.  Lindsay is also going to capture our day and was sweet enough to spend some extra time in DC for an engagement photo session.  This was a great opportunity to get comfortable with each other and capture some images in the place where S2H and I met.  The day was great for the "lighting" but not so great for my hair...hello frizz city!  It was a hot and humid DC morning with a side of drizzle.  Lindsay was a trooper and I tried not to let my self conciousness get the best of me! Here are some of my favorites.  But be sure to check out Lindsay's blog to see us and all her amazing work!

Monday, July 25, 2011

Hair Cult


I have always been very particular about my hair.  Nina and I can have full page g-chat conversations about our hair routine, the current humidity level and how to combat it, and the newest product featured on the Today Show or our favorite blog.  It may seem silly to some but it is more about a comfort thing than anything else.  My hair is kind of like my security blanket, something I think I have control over...as opposed to my hips! With the upcoming wedding I went into hair obsession over-drive!  And to top it off, I met Ruby.  Ruby is the hair goddess at Frizzles, my new salon!  Ruby has me on a "hair plan" and I am sharing this plan with everyone I know.  I have been on the hair plan for about 5 months and I am a believer! The plan is easy, actually less work...I have stopped washing my hair!  Well at least I have stopped washing my hair every day.  I now wash my hair every 3 days.  Crazy right?!  But it makes a HUGE difference.  My hair is fuller, vibrant, and more manageable.   I have followed this little routine through spring and summer - workouts and workout slumps.  Don't judge - sweat is good for your hair!

Routine:
Day 1: Wash and blowout
Day 2: Little baby corn starch to absorb oils, pin hair back if it is looking a little limp
Day 3: More baby corn starch, some up-some down, pony tail or curl hair
Day 4: Wash and blowout - start all over!

Tools of the Trade:
Baby corn starch - helps absorb oils and comes scented to freshen things up
Natural Bristle Brush - natural bristles help distribute oils, brush every night
Moroccoan Oil - use on damp hair to protect hair from styling heat
Volumizing Spray - helps make the blowout last longer
Dry Shampoo - helps add texture for pony tails and curls

Tips:
Only shampoo the crown of your head, that's where all the oil is.  Only conditioner your ends, that's the area lacking moisture. If you think about it this is how they wash your hair at the salon! If you are going to splurge go for the good shampoo.  Your hair naturally produces the best conditioner.  Stick with the hair plan!  It takes about two weeks to even out your "oil production." Before you know it you will be rocking 3-day old hair - to work and to party.  It's amazing!

*photo

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Love, Family, & Friends

Ever since S2H and I got engaged we have been showered with love, kindness, and generosity.  We have had so much fun celebrating with our family and friends.  My sweet friends, Erin and Erin, officially kicked off the pre-wedding festivities with an engagement party.  All our family and friends joined us in Arlington, VA for drinks, yummy food, and the most amazing cupcakes.  This party also marked the first meeting of our parents!  And it was a huge success!  Erin and Erin handled every detail to perfection and our parents and siblings had an amazing time.  My dad came up from Charlotte, Giselle from UNC, S2H's family caravan-ed from PA, my mom's family from NY, and even sweet Nina came from the cornfields!! We are lucky kids!  It was truly a special moment full of all the important things, family, friends, and laughter!

{hosts and work sisters, Erin & Erin.  my person, nina! cupcakes courtesy of mama flo and kollene!}

{clockwise: S2H's fam, giselle & my dad, giselle, my mom's fam}


The fun continued this month with my first bridal shower hosted by my soon to be in-loves!  S2H's mom, sister (Erin), and sister-in-law (Jen) gave me the most beautiful shower!  These women amaze me with their generosity, talent, and love for family.  I could go on and on about all the special details they put into the shower - mason jars full of flowers, silverware tied with ribbon in our wedding colors, chocolate fondue, DELICIOUS food, and homemade hand decorated mini cakes for all the guests! There were games too!  I totally bombed on the "question game" and had to chew 11 pieces of Bubbalicious gum! :)   So we had full bellies and lots of giggles.  I had so much fun celebrating with everyone and felt truly loved.    The day was so special.  It took me a few days to process how wonderful everything was.  I was so spoiled and will be forever grateful for this bright spot and happy memory during all the wedding planning craziness!

{even S2H's dad helped out- check out that beautiful lawn & tent.  beautiful cakes by Jen!  the best food ever!  S2H's mom knows i have a thing for mason jars.}

{me & the girls!  so blessed to have these women in my life!}

Friday, July 22, 2011

Year 26 Bucket List

The summer has been flying by at lightening speed.  In between wedding festivities I celebrated my 26th birthday.  It's official, I am now closer to 30 than 20...scary.  This year S2H and I kept the birthday weekend very low key.  We drove out to the Shenandoah Valley and had an amazing 5 mile hike, complete with a yummy picnic. And we made a spontaneous stop at a Virginia Vineyard for a quick wine tasting.  We finished off the celebration with a few too many glasses of sangria and the great company of friends.  
During our hike S2H asked me what I wanted to do in my 26th year and so formed the bucket list.  This list is a little ambitious but it is nice to dream!

  • Travel more!  This includes more trips to my dad's beach house as well as taking S2H abroad! I also want to visit Savannah, GA and New England.
  • Go to a UNC Basketball Game.  Giselle is going to be a junior at Chapel Hill this fall and we have yet to make it to a game, this is a must!
  • Learn to crochet. 
  • Take a class.  I still have no idea what I want to do when I grow up, but it is time to figure it out. So I am thinking that if I take some classes it might help me.  Top runners are, graphic design, photography, ceramics, or pastry.
  • Explore DC.  I have now lived in the DC suburbs for 4 years and still have not visited all the museums, monuments, food spots, and hidden gems of the area.
  • Take more pictures.
  • Plan a reunion with my high school girlfriends and their significant others.