From a thoughtful friend

“Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child, Listen to the DONT’S Listen to the SHOULDN’TS The IMPOSSIBLE, the WON’TS Listen to the NEVER HAVES Then listen close to me— Anything can happen, child, ANYTHING can be.” -Shel Silverstein

Heart.

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You’re already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

August

Everything that happened in July was amazing. From camping/tubing to the wineries in Virginia to my trip to Houston.

While in Houston we spent most the time at the hotel pool, hanging out with Anthony’s family, in AC, and eating tex/mex or BBQ. Not a bad way to spend a couple days.   I was able to see my Gpa for an afternoon. We went to his house and it’s funny to see how I am like him. His house is covered in pictures, and trinkets from his travels. It took me the entire visit to look at all the pictures in different rooms. From pictures of my dad as a kid to me as a kid. While Anthony was telling Lucy about interesting things that have happened to him at his job, she told us that we should write it all down. She said we should so that one day we can read it back and remember everything. This stuck a chord with me because I know she is in the very early stages of Alzheimer’s, and knows how important it is to keep those memories. I hope that writing in a journal is a habit I can pick up again.

 

I hope that August is just as exciting as July! It’s weird that I’m still in the school mindset. I can’t help feeling the dread of something coming in September. Maybe it’s knowing summer (as well as my awesome pool time!) is coming to a close. I’ll just have to take advantage of it.

Upcoming this month! – A Nacho Party (yah you heard me), Power Hour(s), Soccer Practices, Blink-182 concert, and a-still in the works- long trip to the Cape, a day or two in Maine and ending in New York for another wedding.

Not too shabby.

July!

July, July, Jullyyyy…never seemed so strange.

the scene from last year’s camping and tubing trip

I can’t believe it’s already July! There is so much to look forward to this month.

1 – I plan to take a summer Friday today and head to the pool. Tonight, out with Anthony to try a new restaurant! (Toki, Bethesda mussel bar…)

2 – HPBC strikes again, this time at Poste!
DC United plays Philly Union
Invited to the annual Jorts Invitational which involves dancing in Jorts on H.

3 – Rupert’s BBQ, Swimming and athletic competition party. I’m bringing my battle gear for the hours of ultimate frisbee we will be playing

4 – Happy 4th of July!!!
Unlimited Crab Feast at Quarterdeck. Sitting outside, cracking open delicious unlimited crabs and housing unlimited fries. That is what America is to me
Watching the fireworks from the Hoyer balcony. God Bless America

8-10 – The annual tubing and camping expedition. A massive group will be descending upon the Shenandoah River for three days, two nights of outdoor living, eating and drinking. The goal is for no one to die

14 – Harry Potter…duh!

15 – Truckaroo! I will get my Cap Mac if it’s the last thing I do

16 – Obviously another great HPBC outing

16-17 – Anthony and I will at a B+B in Virginia to go to lots of wineries and eat delicious food. I’ve been to Napa, I hate to say it but I might like Virginia better!

21-24 – Houston, TX for Anthony’s cousin’s wedding. I’ll be visiting my grandpa while I’m there and hopefully my cousin Jason! I’m really looking forward to this trip

I have a feeling the last weekend in July will be jam packed also. But I wouldn’t have it any other way! I’m obsessed with Summer.

On My List

So, with my birthday coming up I think about the old days of making a wish list! My aunt and Nana already exceeded my expectations, and I have a brand new red Kitchenaid mixer! Complete with extra glass bowl, slicer & shredder, and an ice cream maker!! I can’t wait to get started on all the new delicious treats I’m going to make.  I’ve wanted a Kitchenaid for many many years, because I love baking and know how helpful it’s going to be!

Also on my list….

Underwater Digi Cam (perfect for tubing trips!) – $35

Lighthouse Drinks – (says its a Schnapps set, but it can be for any drink!) $29.95

Catbird Studio Map (this has been on my list for like a year now! I keep telling myself I’m going to get it for myself eventually..) – $120

Anthropologie (you can never go wrong with gift cards!) – $268, $168, $178

iTunes (in need of new music!! It’s been too long. Or Ill just raid Courts computer)

I think that should do it

My Weekend

So this weekend was pretty awesome. I really hope it signals the start to an amazing summer. While I really need to go to bed so I can start the week off on the right foot…here is a list of everything that happened.

Friday:

6pm – 8pm Truckaroo! A gathering of so many delicious food trucks in one place. Ate delicious pizza from DC Slices and enjoyed the company of Courtney, Erin and Julia.

10pm – Bed, to prepare for the weekend

10:20 – Charlie attacks my feet so I play with him in the dark, with a laser pointer for a good half an hour

Saturday:

6am – Wake up for Race for the Cure 5k!

6:45 -Kelsey picks me up and we head to the Mall

8am – Kelsey, Jojo, Courtney and I start the 5k!!

8:30(ish) – Race is done! While I watched Kelsey dart through the crowds, and then Courtney..I was able to see how far Court was getting ahead by seeing her little hand fist pumping and dancing along to her music

10am – Inaugural HPBC. Hot Pants Brunch Club. The (hopefully) weekly gathering to eat and drink our way through DC’s finest brunch spots. Only made sense to start at Argonaut.

12pm – HPBC moves to my CB Pool. Layout, swimming, drinking, chatting, pizza and 12 friends (12 friends!)

6pm – Move from Pool to respected houses to shower and change

8pm – Kelsey’s house for BBQ, Stanley Cup Playoff game 2, and beer pong

11pm – RnR Hotel. Dance party with two Biebers. Alcohol plus pineapple juice, it happens.

Sunday:

3am – Walk home with DT, Robot Erin and Court. Slumber Party with Court.

5am – Charlie attacks Courtney’s feet instead!

8am – Wake up for the day

9:30am – Pick up Julia for adventure!

10:30am – Bull Run Hike including many historical sites. (Battle of the Manassas aka Battle of Bull Run) Run down mills, grave yards and amazing views… Win! Sweating out pineapple juice from my face? …jury is still out on that one

1pm – Can’t not follow signs to a winery we see on the way back to DC! Winery at La Grange aka our winery. Amazing tasting and treats. I seriously cannot wait to go back!!

3:30pm – Back to home, Anthony is back from a bachelor party in Atlantic City!! yay!

4:40pm – Soccer game. FC Cats 6, other guys…ZERO!! Best game yet. Congrats to Thomas (x2), Anthony!!, Ben, Stu and Stephen Bieber. And of course, congrats to me on the zero (defensive MVP of Elmo HS don’t you forget)

6pm – Pica taco. Celebrating victory

7pm – so done…until next weekend

HPBC. The winner of shortest shorts? You decide!

Cross stitch!

So I have this nerdy habit…I love to cross stitch.  I’m not patient enough to do counted cross stitch, but the printed ones work for me! My latest creation is an apron my aunt got for me several months ago. Little bit by little bit I finally finished it. I’m also just pretty excited about crossing this project off my to-do list!

Uncle Pete

On the left. Rad right? I think he’d be pretty proud of our soccer skills.

Royal Wedding

I could barely sleep last night because I was so worried I’d miss the start of the Royal Wedding. I woke up at 4am to wake up Steph who arrived last night, to watch the whole thing. From Elton John and David Beckham to the hats and the arrivals. One of my favorite moments is when William and Harry took off their hats when they arrived in the church and simultaneously reach up to fix their hat hair. I loved that Will had his back turned and Harry peaked over his shoulder to see Kate walk down the aisle and the look on his face when he saw her and supposedly said to Will, wait till you see her. I loved Pippa’s dress and Kate’s as well. She looked classic and beautiful. And finally their kiss on the balcony. Short and sweet but lovely. I wish we were allowed to see the entire day of events and the post wedding parties. If I were there I’d definitely make it to tomorrow mornings Survivors Brunch hosted by Harry. I mean….how could you not?

Pinterest

Pinterest.com is my newest obsession. I subscribe to tons of photo blogs, scroll through many online articles and flip through all my magazines looking at picture after picture. I always wished there would be a place where I could put these images into one spot. Tada! Welcome Pinterest.

As described on their site..

” What is Pinterest?

Think of Pinterest as a virtual pinboard — a place where you can create collections of things you love and “follow” collections created by people with great taste.

People use Pinterest to collect and share all sorts of things — wedding inspiration, favorite T-shirts, DJ equipment. You name it, people are pinning it.

We know you have great taste in something. Our mission is to make Pinterest the best place for you to share your taste with the world. “

What you do is install a Pin It bookmark on your web browser and whenever you see an interesting image on a website, you click the Pin It book mark and simply pin the image back to the site! Photos are organized into Boards. You can name your boards, and have as many as you wish. I currently have 10 including, My Style, Away We Go (travel) and Animal Love!

I highly suggest this website to everyone who loves their photos!

A sample of my Inspiration photos, after my weekend at home I’m reminded how much I love everything involving the beach!