Pictures from Lauren

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OHHHHHH Savannah....

Well husband, I am cheating on you...I fell in love with something else...Savannah, Georgia!  (I don't think that he minded being that a few older ladies fell in love with him while we were at Huey's Bar!)  Savannah is the most beautiful, romantic vacation destination.  Of course, I am only referring to places in the US that I have visited thus far.  We stayed at a B&B, The Gastonian.  While it was a little on the pricey side, our stay was wonderful!  The room was amazing and each day we were served a gourmet breakfast, invited to a wine and hors d'ourve social during lunch and after dinner, we were welcomed with cordials and desserts.  We had a fabulous time while we were there.  The first night, we dined at Jazz'd, an eclectic martini and tapas bar with live jazz music.  The following day we walked to the market street area and decided to have drinks at Huey's.  The weather was fantastic...I even got a little bit of sun...imagine that!  After a few too many drinks, we stumbled out of the bar and headed back to our cozy room and took a 2 hour nap.  In fact, we napped so long that we missed our dinner reservation at Elizabeth on 37th.  Fortunately, they were able to squeeze us in.  This restaurant was AMAZING to say the least!  I tried orange marmalade for the first time and proceeded to eat 3, yes 3, biscuits lathered with butter and orange marmalade.  Ever since, I have been on a continuous quest to find orange marmalade that tasted as amazing as it did at Elizabeth's, but have not yet been successful...so my quest continues!  On our last day, we decided to head back to Huey's (after hearing that Paula Dean's restaurant was sure to be a disappointment) and had an awesome lunch of red beans and rice, fried green tomatoes and hot melt-in-your-mouth beignets dusted with loads of powdered sugar!   I was a bit nervous about this trip thinking that husband would not appreciate the ambience of Savannah as much as I did, but I am thankful that he loved it almost as much as I did!!!  We are sure to return to Savannah as the people there were just as polite as they are in Texas!  What a great trip!!!!!

Last few months...

Below, I posted pictures of important events that have been going on in my life over the few months...I've been really bad about posting lately which is partly due to how busy I have been!

From the top down...Chris' going away party...my husband just got a new job and is in training in Georgia for the next few months.  After that, he will be relocating to Houston.  I'll be stuck in Dallas until I finish up my degree, but hopefully that won't be too long :)  I CAN'T wait to move to Houston...well minus the traffic!  A new stomping ground for both Chris and I!  This could be very interesting!  The 6 month separation from my husband is going to be tough on us both! I think that from this we will learn to appreciate what the other brings to the relationship...like Chris handling the finances...finances...what a pain!!!  Another positive about this separation...I get to take my Savannah trip!  WHOHOO!  We're meeting in Savannah, GA next weekend and are staying at The Gastonian.  The Gastonian is a B&B located in the downtown historic district of Savannah.  FINALLY, I can twirl my umbrella!  Pictures of that to come soon!

In the middle...Rachael's baby shower...First, I apologize...obviously I didn't edit these pics :)

I am soooooo excited for Rachael and her husband (another Chris) to have their baby girl, Caylee.  I helped Christina Hill (maiden name Bender) plan Rachael's first shower.  Needless to say, we had a blast!  Everything looked and tasted AMAZING...if I do say so myself!  For some of the favors, I ordered personalized pink satin ribbon from www.foryourparty.com that said "Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice...That's What Little Girls are Made of!"  Mom and I stayed up all night baking snickerdoodle cookies(hence sugar and spice) on a stick and placed them in vases.  We arranged to mock a flower bouquet!  Too cute!!!  She received tons of gifts, most of which she had to explain to me what exactly they were used for!  Rach is one of the most adorable pregnant people I have ever seen!  I definitely know now why people came up with the expression that pregnant women "GLOW!"  Two months to go Rach!!!

Last...pictures of my wedding!  I find myself returning to look at these pictures at least once a week...which has fizzled from 10 times per day right after the wedding!  I just LOVE going back to think about memories that are attached to each picture!  To date..that was the best day of my life!  

Pictures from Lauren

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Pictures from Lauren

Click here to view these pictures larger

Pictures from Lauren

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Cry Me a River...Jason Mesnick!

I can honestly say that I LOVE the TV reality show, The Bachelor.  I've been an avid follower of that show since the very first showing.  What is it about that show...the thought of a group of early 20 somethings living in a house together, competing for the same guy is absolutely hilarious!  With the exception of a few 24 year olds, how can you put your life on hold for the 1/25 chance that he chooses you...and the .05% chance of it actually working out....I think you have better chances at the bar!  

Now on to Jason...Jason...Jason...how can a guy (WITH A 3 YEAR OLD) come on to a reality TV show FOR THE SECOND TIME just for the chance at love?  You would think that after a failed marriage (WHERE IS THE INTERVIEW WITH THE EX-MRS.MESNICK??!?!??!?!) and a 3 year old, life would have taught him a few lessons and how handle the situation with more "integrity and class" that a 32 year old with child should possess...instead of cry or make out everytime there's an awkward moment. Who in their right mind thinks that it is a good idea to make out with Molly ON TV just after you have broken up with Melissa, your fiance?  On last nights, After the Rose Part 2, Molly and Jason were commenting that people would judge and Molly specifically said that her character was questioned.   Let me just ask this...who signed up for a show that put their romantic life on TV for all of America to see?  

Even though I heart this show...I am completely baffled that girls keep applying.  Is it actually that hard to be a single person now-a-days?  Does everyone result to internet "dating" on Match.com or reality TV?  Why are people in such a rush to get married?  Why does everyone (well I can say mostly applies to girls) feel like they are on a time crunch to get married...if it is simply because all of your friends are getting married...you need to do some soul-searching!   Hello girls...Lesson 5003 from Sex in the City!

DIY

Sometimes the best ideas come from...YOU!!!  Lately, well...at least since I have been having withdrawls from wedding planning, I have been coming up with easy, but absolutely adorable ideas.  Here is my latest project.  One of my good friends is having her first baby...a baby girl.  I was checking out diaper cakes to order for her shower.  Needless to say, I was completely disappointed.  I thought to myself, "I can totally do this, but make it....me-ish."  Her husband graduated from the Holy Land...aka...The University of Texas.  Shoutout to Cooper...little Bevo.  Can't wait to meet you, Caylee!  More DIY baby favor ideas to come...

Team Deanna!!!

Now that my favorite girl, Jillian, has been eliminated from the Bachelor...I am rooting for Deanna Pappas to take the crown...or ring in this case!  Can't wait until next Monday for the finale!!!!!!  I was completely thrown when a girlfriend of mine said that Jason had met Melissa on a trip to Big D to visit Jeremy (another hottie from Bachelorette)!  If that is the case...I'm quitting Bachelor!

Gain 5,000 pounds on V-day

Ok Ok...so my Valentine and I never go out for Valentine's Day.  For one, it is a complete hassle and two restaurants run out of everything before your reservation (as I learned more of on Sunday).  I decided to make something special for my first Valentine's Day as a wife...I rolled out pasta and put it through a pasta cutter and made spaghetti sauce with homemade turkey meatballs, Contessa Outrageous Brownies (which are sinfully delicious) sundaes!  If that wasn't enough...Sunday was my first After Valentine's Day Brunch with my girlfriends.  I thought that it was a perfect opportunity to decorate all things Valentine &  gossip with the girls.  Valentine's Brunch consisted of Pomegranate Ginger Champagne Cocktails, Bloody Mary's, Mimosas, Shrimp and Cheesy Grits, Individual Egg Scrambles, Sour Cream Coffee Cake Muffins, Long-stemmed Strawberries with Homemade Chocolate Sauce, Cape Cod Salad, Shortbread Heart Cookies and Nutella filled pancakes (which was the only thing I was disappointed in).  In all, we had a fabulous time and I can't wait for Linner :)

Happy Hearts Day!

Happy late Valentine's Day!!!!!  V day is my most favorite holiday!  I don't see how some people just don't get into it!  It is a day filled with PINK!  Come on people...how can that not make you happy??  Thanks to our amazing wedding photographers (www.annemariephotography.com)  for snapping this shot of me and my Valentine on our wedding day!  Pics of how I celebrated V day to come...

Britney...I must disagree

In her new song, Circus, Britney claims that there are 2 types of people in the world...the ones that entertain and the ones that don't.  Well, Miss Britney, I must disagree.  The 2 types of people in the world are "givers" and "takers."  Givers give their all to meet their goals and would give the world to help a friend in need.  Takers take advantage of the weak, take what they can when they can and don't appreciate what they are "given."  President Obama wants to help the economy...personally, I think that he should "give" back to those who have "given" to society and take those that mooch from government assistance to a Job Fair.

Bittersweet

I just got married (the absolute wedding of my dreams!!!)!!!  Yep me, the one that everyone thought would be the last or would never get married.  I found such an amazing person to share my life with (minus the video game thing).  The other night, we were watching TV and I looked at him and said that I felt like I should be doing something.  The truth is that you spend a year and a half planning something that is so important and extravagant , the only thing left after all is done, is your marriage and memories that will last a lifetime..unless of course you were drinking straight vodka all night :)