That's Who I Am

I am Rosemary's grandaughter (not really)

The spitting image of my father (for sure)

anyone else singing Jessica Andrews? (Just me? Oh ok)

Anyways..

Two posts in one day?! 

Whoa.

I guess being up super early for the dentist has made me feel super productive today.  So here's a quiz I found via Two Thirds Hazel --

I mean I love filling out questions about myself and I just KNOW y'all love reading about ME soo... (obvi sarcasm here people)... here goes nothing:

And now you know more about me than you probably wanted to know! 

In any case, head on over to Two Thirds Hazel and link up your own quiz--because I said so!

I hate the dentist

Two dentist appointments in three days---ughhh!

Am I the only one who sees a problem with this? Come on people--let's get it together here! 

Basically I hate the dentist.

Which is weird because I used to love the dentist. 

You got cool treats/toys after the check up, the fluoride tasted like bubble gum, and all was good with the world.

Now, that I'm older, I don't get cool treats or good tasting fluoride and they murder my gums because sometimes I forget to floss (oops).

Recently (Tuesday) I had to go to the dentist for two reasons: to get my chipped tooth fixed and to catch up on my biannual cleaning which I've skipped for a year or two. 

Yikes.

I got to the dentist, sat in the chair, and they did in fact murder my gums because I'm a horrible flosser. They also ended up filling a cavity because apparently I'm a bad brusher too. 

I suck.

Meanwhile my chipped tooth has yet to be filled and the dentist asked me--multiple times--if I've ever considered orthodontics. Way to be subtle doc.

After like two hours of being at the dentist, instead of fixing my chipped tooth (which was the whole reason I made the appointment), I had to make ANOTHER appointment. All while missing work--thus not getting paid. 

Can you see why the dentist is not my fav?

Long story short, I had to go back to the dentist today (I'm blogging from the parking lot) at the crack of dawn before work (people function at this time?!) and have an orthodontist appointment later in March. I think I'm the only 22 year old excited about the possibility of getting braces. Weird I know. 

I still hate the dentist, but maybe I'll like the orthodontist more. 

Favorite Things

I'll admit it. I went over board with online shopping/shopping in general last week. I can't help it.
I MUST HAVE ALL THE CUTE STUFF!

Plus it makes me happy and that's important.
(at least that's the excuse I'm letting myself believe)

So here are a few of my favorite things--this week:

Crown (you can call me Queen B):

I picked it up from a consignment/market where they have all sorts of neat stuff--you just have to look! 
It goes perfectly with all of the decor in my living room! Side note: I'm a sucker for little knick-knacks and I love decorating my apartment--a job in itself that I don't think will ever be done.

Waterlogue (the app)

I know this has been out for awhile, but I am just now jumping on the train. And I am so very glad I did!

Fab for making everything is my apartment look so great! See?!

 

Fleurty Girl NOLA T-shirt

These shirts a great for any NOLA girl and a MUST HAVE. They have sooo many to choose from for Mardi Gras and lots of "New Orleans-y" things for every other occasion. 
I wore mine to my first parade of the season last Saturday!

Erin Condren Life Planner

This is really the only place to get a planner. I've tried other places, but I always come back to this one. The customer service is great and you can pretty much personalize ALL of it! There's plenty of space to write, lots of fun stickers, and a monthly, weekly, and yearly calendar!

I'm sure this will end up being a weekly thing--so be on the look out for my favorite things

--because I said so!

Always Round Down

The $30.00 candle that I NEED--have I mentioned
my neighbors are smokers?!

Sometimes you just have to lie. Ok maybe not lie, per say, but stretch the truth or omit something. 

(which is basically lying but whatever)

Before you think that I am a horrible person,

let me explain. 

{the conversation typically goes something like this}

Josh: You are NOT going to buy that $90 shirt AND that $30 candle.

Me: No, no I'm not. (Meanwhile I'm plotting when I can go back and get that shirt and candle when he's not there)  Babe, I'm not going to buy them, I promise! (can you leave already so I can buy both?)

Dad: You paid HOW much for WHAT?!

Me: But yea look how good it looks/and it goes with this, this, AND this!

I'm not trying to say I'm into basing a relationship off of lies, but if Josh (or my dad) asks me how much my shoes/shirt/any other piece of clothing/anything I'm buying was, I'm most likely going to round down. 

The $90.00 Perlis shirt I'm dying
to have for Mardi Gras--although I might be
able to fit in the kids so I get it for cheaper!

Always.

For example: if I bought a pair of shoes for $65.99 I'll most likely soften the blow with an "oh they only cost like $55.00." I rarely drop the real price at all and if I do, it's either a mistake OR I wait until I wear the shoes (or any other piece of clothing/display home decor) and they realize how great I look in them/it looks. 

Always make it seem like it was their idea.

This rule of thumb is brought to you by my mother. (Hi MOM!)

She has also taught me that:

It almost always works the opposite way as well. If you are asked by you dad or your significant other/husband if you need money before going anywhere, round up. 

Pay attention to what your mom says boys and girls, you might actually learn something--

because I said so!

Panic Attack Strikes Again

It's clear that I have anxiety problems. If you didn't know that, read this. I'll wait for you to catch up.

So yea I have anxiety. 

It's super annoying and I really can't help it. Sometimes I'm able to talk myself out of a panic attack or have J talk me put of it (that usually happens while driving), but other times I can't.

This time it all started with: 

Did I turn my straightener off? OMG! DID I TURN IT OFF?! 

I'm sure every girl has had the same panic thought process--this is a regular occurrence for me.

I'm starting to think I need this rug from etsy store Be There In Five

I  came to the conclusion that I didn't, in fact, turn off my straightener and the whole apartment complex will burn along with my dogchild Laney.

 This. Cannot. Happen. I. Am. The. Worst. Dog. Mom. Ever.

{{Proceed to drop all current plans to go back to the apartment to see if I turned it off. Literally.}}

Let me rewind...

At the time this thought process ran through my head, the beau and I were on out way to have fun (I know--this is huge for me)...a parade of all things--first one of the season.

 I almost started crying because I was so worried. After YELLING at J to turn around and threatening all kinds of things if he didn't--we were almost late for the parade and it's all because I can't my anxiety under control oh and also my inability to let things go and just have fun (subject to be revisited at a later date)

I know you're dying to know if it was turned on: well it wasn't. Not even plugged in--as usual. Cool. And we made it with plenty of time for the parade.

My sister, a pyschology major, told me that checking multiple times to see if I left it on is a form of OCD. Pair that with my already existing anxiety and boom you've got an emotional nightmare. 

Take it from me, be sure to turn of your straightener before you leave home... 

...because I said so 

this is part of my weekly wrap up..more like a one day recap of the weekend, but this is my first time doing this so don't hold it against me!

Is it Summer Yet?

Have you ever had a piece of clothing bring you luck, inspiration/motivation, happiness?

Some people have lucky socks or underwear.

 I have a shirt that motivates and inspires me (normal right?).

Inspiration (this week) comes to me in the form of my
Valentine's present: my Lululemon shirt!

Isn't it beautiful?

Note: I'm not a fashion blogger--so I have no idea how to stage clothes to make them look good while just laying on the bed. Give me a piece of furniture to stage and I got that covered--clothes, not so much. 

Something about me finally owning something Lululemon it being almost summer/boat season, has me motivated to get in the best shape of my life. 

I mean, if not now, then when? 

Plus a brand new workout shirt helps too.

Currently, I've been the gym twice this week and did something other than walk on the treadmill--like I usually do. 

Now, I can't move my arms or legs without lots of pain. 

Soo..that's how that's going. 

Summer body...I'm coming for you. As soon as I can move...

Bridal Shows and Wedding Woes

As girls, most of us start planning our weddings at a very young age. I am no exception. My Pinterest board "Dream Wedding" has basically everything picked out--from the ring to the decor. 

One thing I've been exposed to, since working in the industry, are wedding shows. You know the ones where a million vendors gather in one place in hopes of booking weddings? Yea those. (We actually have one today--bring it on!)

As a bride I can't imagine the amount of stress this brings...it brings stress as a vendor too--or maybe I'm just a very stressed person idk. 

I know that when I (finally get engaged), I will probably not go to any bridal shows.  I basically already know what I want/who I want to do what for my wedding--thanks to years of taking notes and 2. It's so impersonal and hectic. (Maybe I'll change my mind when I finally get engaged--heck I'll probably want to milk every perk of being engaged, but we'll see.) 

That being said, how, as a vendor, do we make it less impersonal? Less hectic?

Tips:

1. Don't call/email every bride registered to the show. As a vendor you get a list. If you didn't talk to them, don't call them. It's weird. 

2. Engage with the brides who are brave enough to come talk to you. Give them valuable information and make it worth their time.

3. Get their info--in the least creepy way--to follow up. Make them feel special.

4. Don't force your fliers down their throats. I went to a show as a "bride" to check it out and it was like collecting postcards...the brides don't want your photography flier if they already have a photographer--and that's a waste of a flier!  

5. Qualify leads. Some people are just there for the free food and giveaways. Weed the non serious ones out and spend more time on the ones who are genuinely interested.

That being said, I can't wait for the show tonight (does that contradict myself--I hope not). The prospect of new business and the atmosphere surrounding these shows usually make the hectic-ness worth it!

The Awkward Diaries

My younger sister, Carol, (fortunately for her) doesn't know what an awkward phase is.

I, unfortunately do.

It's called all of middle school/jr. high.
I was her age when I was the MOST awkward.
Who am I kidding, I'm probably still pretty awkward. 

Let's be real: I still don't know how to do my hair or make up and could really use a personal stylist.

I don't think kids these days have an awkward phase. 

(I see six year olds with better style than me) 

And let's be honest, it's not fair. 

Carol will never know what it feels like to look back at pictures and yell, "MOM WHY DID YOU LET ME CUT MY HAIR!!" Or "OMG I wore that?!" because she's had three moms urge her not to for the start. In fact, I like to think of her as my mini me--if I could do jr. high over again.

That being said, I think everyone needs some kind of an awkward phase. That's when you truly learn about yourself (if not in the moment, then definitely looking back). If not to learn, then to at least laugh. Looking back at pictures and being able to laugh at yourself is an admirable quality--in my book anyway--probably because I have lots of laughing to do.

I don't think I've even shown J most of my awkward phase pictures.

(I can't believe I'm sharing this, but...)

Yikes..this was before straighteners were invented.

I'm not sure what I learned about myself from this, but it definitely has to be along the lines of: I AM NEVER CUTTING MY HAIR AGAIN. That is all.

Stay awkward y'all.

{because I said so}

Valentine's Weekend Recap

So this weekend was fab-u-lous! 

I know I say that every weekend (because I genuinely love my time off), but even though I was sick, I had a blast!

I'm probably the ONLY one with a Valentine that didn't take pictures of him/what he got me or post them on social media. I AM blogging about it though so I guess that counts.

P.S. My daddy had roses delivered to my office--which everyone thought was so sweet :)

Like I said, I've been sick. Battling whatever was going around the office. Just in time for Valentine's Day. Cool. I sucked it up and made my blowout appointment at Dry Bar Bleu a blow dry bar, despite the three hour nap I took. I've never had a blowout/been to a "blow dry bar." In fact, whenever I blow dry my hair, I end up looking like a troll. Lack of skills and know how. In general, I try to avoid blow dryers at all costs. So, I guess you could say, I was highly skeptical.

I was blown away--no pun intended. 

 I walked in and was immediately offered something to drink (mimosa, white wine, water, etc.).  The girl doing my hair was just the right amount of chatty and introduced me to the owner who offered suggestions of what to order at SoBou. I didn't end up looking like a troll--which is always a plus. I'm so mad I didn't get any pictures of it--but I guess that gives me a chance to go again and actually take pictures this time!

The only picture from dinner that night :/

Dinner was at a swanky new restaurant in the French Quarter--SoBou (South of Bourbon) Our friend from high school is a chef there and was able to get us a table and some dishes compliments of the chef! (It pays to know people--thanks Eli!!) It wasn't food we would normally eat, but it was very very very good! Five Star Review from yours truly.

Saturday was my complimentary City Tour! (remember how I won tickets?)

A few of the highlights:

The new H&M

Magazine Street 

Jackson Square

Isn't it glorious?

We had a blast! It was like a Valentine's present for the both of us. J still had energy to go out that night, but being sick (and ignoring it) was catching up with me so I was the DD. There's nothing I love more than being woken up from a Benadryl induced coma to go pick up two drunkies. But whatever, at least they didn't drive drunk.

Sunday, we went back to the quarter this time with J's friend Cameron in tow. We toured Jackson Square again and pretty much walked allllll over the quarter--seriously my legs hurt. We watched a street show (they are pretty legit-my sister has their DVD), got a drink at the famous Lafite's Blacksmith  Shop (the oldest bar in the quarter and haunted), and I got to eat my oysters! 

Thanks to Joshua for making this the most fabulous weekend yet. 

I wonder what adventures next weekend has in store!

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

 I'm excited for three reasons:

1. Getting my hair done

2. Dressing up and going to a fancy restaurant

3. For J to open his present from me

Plus I just love Valentine's Day--always have, probably always will.

I get it. Some people don't feel the same way I do. I've been seeing a lot of people post about how today is a glorified Hallmark holiday. This piqued my curiosity, so I did some research.

Valentine's Day actually had a morbid/really weird beginning.
No two sources can agree on the same origins---
sooo
 in my own words this is what happened.

Way back in Roman days, the was a festival where men drew from a lottery to basically be someone's sex partner for the night (y'all the Romans were kinda weird). There was a whole festival dedicated to just that.

The Romans did their thing yada yada and some say the church banned it, while others say a couple hundred years later there was a priest (who may or may not have been named Valentine) who was performing marriages illegally (the church banned all marriages--normal right?). So, logically he got beheaded on February 14th. 

These two incidents somehow got mushed together, Shakespeare got a hold of it and well, the rest is history. Because once Shakespeare gets involved, there's no turning back. He might as well have been the Hallmark of the "olden days."

So when we celebrate Valentine's Day, we are basically celebrating a sex lottery and the anniversary of a dead guy in honor of illegal marriages....Cool. I think I like our version of chocolates and flowers better and will take that any day.

 Have a Happy Valentine's Day!
{because I said so}

xoxo

Read more about the history of Valentine's Day here and here

My Other Valentine

So I'm famous!  The fact that traffic to my blog is picking up (thanks to everyone who reads it ) means that it's not just my mom that reads it anymore! WOOHOO! But that's besides the point. (Is it? I'm not sure)

Anyways, today I'm mentioned on two other blogs--told ya famous! Go check it out!

Treats and Travels

and 

Sunshine and Sinatra

Now to what I was really going to write about today, before I got distracted.

So Valentine's Day is tomorrow, in case you live under a rock or are choosing not to remember. I still have to find the boyfriend a present--for the record, he said I didn't have to get him anything because it's a girly holiday whatever-- Let's face it, I'm still getting him a present and it will likely be over the top. #sorrynotsorry

With all the stress of finding the perfect present for my beau, I almost forgot about my other Valentine!

Yep...I have more than one Valentine this year. How did I get so lucky?

Here's looking at you dad!

I'm so sweet :) 

The other man man in my life who has been a constant from day one. 

He is the most thoughtful man on the planet--you picked a good one mom! He taught me the value of a dollar, how to work hard, and many other valuable life skills (like how to grow mold for a science project, how to change a tire, how to drive, etc.) 

Not sure I was doing it right/he was scared for his life 

We were thick as thieves back in the day--I'll always be his most favorite daughter :) (sorry Steph and Carol) 

He's probably reading this and thinking "what does she want"--come on dad you know there doesn't have to be a reason! But, as long as we are on the subject, don't forget to send me flowers tomorrow (because {your most favorite daughter} said so!)



Love you dad!

Harmless Flirting

Josh has always had a weird way of flirting/getting my attention/annoying me.   

Before we were ever dating or even thought about dating, he did a number of crazy things to get my attention.(I think he secretly liked me ever since 10th grade)

These said crazy things include but are not limited to: tying my shoelaces to the desk in front of me (thus making me late for my next class) and throwing bits of paper in my obnoxiously curly hair during class (they'd get stuck and he thought it was hilarious--I'd find paper two days later).

However, my absolute favorite, the one that takes the cake, involves a duck. 

Yep, you read it right.

 A real. Live. Duck. 

Quack Quack. 

I don't think y'all are ready for this. The weirdest things happen to me! 

A brief history. 

My family lives way in the country so I never locked my car doors. 

1.  I never have anything valuable stashed in the car 

2. What redneck wants to walk all the way up the driveway to break into my car

--my guess is...not that many.

Anyways...

That one fateful night, I, as usual, left my doors unlocked. The next morning I was leaving for a college tour over 5 hours away and had just gotten home from a grueling cheer practice. Locking my doors was not on the top of my to do list. 

Well it should have been.

dum dum DUMMMMM.

Morning rolls around and the whole fam is packing up the car to leave for this college tour. Silly me forgot my sunglasses in my car (and it's a good thing I did). 

Imagine my surprise, when I opened the door and was greeted by a QUACK QUACK. What the hell!? Is this real life? There is a freaking live duck in my car--shitting all over the place might I add (sorry for the language, but "pooping" does not do the whole incident justice). It's standing on my console (covered in duck poo) and just staring at me. 

Like, excuse me, why is there a duck in my car AND what am I supposed to do?!?

Immediately (even though it was 6 am on a Saturday) I knew who did it. I called Josh. I mean who else could it have been?  He groggily answered the phone to me yelling at him. All he did was laugh.He was clearly expecting THAT call. Stinker. 

Meanwhile the duck hopped out of the car, desperate for some fresh air I'm sure, and waddled off into the woods. It was never seen or heard from again. 

(Our neighbors have a pond so I'm hoping it made it safely there) 

It's a good thing my family is so good-natured about little pranks like that. My mom ended up cleaning the duck poo out of the car (she's a saint--and let's face it, there was no way I was touching that), I got my sunglasses, and we were able to make the college tour appointment. 

But you can bet, I always always always lock my car now.

It's a Love Story, Baby just Say Yes

In honor of Valentine's Day being in three days, this post is dedicated to how I met Joshua. If you don't want to read anything mushy gushy please click off now. Just saying.

Side Note: The title is in honor of "our song" Love Story by T-Swift. I love Taylor Swift and I love it even more that J was like hey this should be our song. And that was before he was even close to saying that he loved me :)

First Valentine's Day present from my beau.

It wasn't always rainbows and butterflies believe me. There was a lot of drama surrounding the way we started dating and I'm pretty sure people were rooting for us to fail. In fact, I'm sure of it. 

How do I say this...

 When I first met/hung out with J,  he was dating one of my friends. I know how it looks, but it so wasn't like that. Anyways, they broke up, she moved on, and we ended up dancing the last dance at our senior homecoming together. Scandalous I know.

Homecoming '08. Check out my smile--Crazy Allison.

(Wow if that isn't long story-short, I don't know what is) 

We weren't each other's dates, but from that moment on, things just clicked. He impressed me with his athletic ability and easy going nature and I impressed him with my smarts and fun loving nature--I'm assuming (I mean I'm just THAT fabulous--kidding only slightly). We went to the same after party and hung out all night around the bonfire. I still remember that night as if it were yesterday instead of 5+ years ago. That night changed my life forever. Never in a million years did I imagine we'd be where we are today. After all, it was high school. (Told you...mushy gushy)

We went on a few dates to various Saints games and were pretty much inseparable almost to the point where it annoyed people. Oh well. 

Anyways, at this point, we were still "talking" (you know that weird stage before he officially ASKS if you'd be his girlfriend--and oh yeah I made him ask...I expected it). November 30th, almost a month after homecoming, he asked me to be his girlfriend in our high school parking lot. Romantic right? Don't worry, he was a fast learner (that I usually get what I want when I want it--sorrynotsorry I'm a brat and he loves me anyway) 

And I guess you could say the rest is history!

 We graduated high school and went to the same college (he followed me--don't let him tell you otherwise).

We didn't say "I love you" until we had been dating for two years..he gave me a David Yurman ring when he said it.  That's another moment I'll never forget. Right before the Pike Valentine's Date party. That was on our third or fourth Valentine's Day. It made the moment that much more special. 

We've had our ups and downs, fights and almost break ups. But at the end of the day, he's my better half. He's not afraid to tell me that I'm being annoying or to not let me have my way. He can calm me down or let me cry it out. He makes me laugh even when I'm mad at him. And those are qualities I wouldn't trade for anything. 

Because I said so :) 

Sunday Funday

Yesterday was truly a Sunday Fun-day. From oysters, to Barcadia, to the casino.  A perfect little NOLA outing with my beau.
We did it all!

We got a break from the really cold weather and took full advantage of it. 

One of the perks of having J work in retail is that I get to use his associate's discount. So off to JCP to get some new make up at Sephora we went. Before we even got out to begin our Sunday Funday, J promised we could go to LuluLemon to look around because let's face it I can't afford their workout clothes on an everyday basis. 

So naturally, that was our next stop.

I just like to go and look around.

Being the super sweet bf he is and learning early on that I usually get what I want,  he ended up buying me a workout shirt for Valentine's (and now he knows what I like for future reference--perfect) 

I know I know..who wants workout clothes for Vday? But come on y'all, it's LuluLemon!!! Plus it's a really cute top. Case dismissed.

Looks like I'm locked in now!

After a quick round through the shops at Canal Place, we headed to the Crazy Lobster for oysters and drinks. Even though the Riverwalk is currently under construction, this restaurant is still open and offering live music and scenic river views.

I mean MY view was pretty nice :)

From here, it was off to the casino (to play the required 30 mins for free parking) and then to Barcadia! 

Barcadia is probably the coolest, most unique environment ever. Literally it's all old school arcade games with a wide selection of alcohol. 

#winning 

I beat Josh in all four games of skee ball and in pinball! What?! But, he beat me in Frogger, Pacman, and basically any other game we played. It's ok I'm used to it..plus I can always brag about beating him at skee ball for months! 

Life size Jenga!

Look at that concentration!

 I love Sunday Fun-days and wish that the weekends could be longer because I said so!