Mad about Mad Men

One of my all time favorite shows is back for Season 5... Mad Men premiered last night with a two hour episode.

If you follow my blog, you know I love Mad Men and that Bradley and I's engagement session was Mad Men inspired. You can see some of the photos on Pinterest too.

Anyways, do you watch Mad Men? What did you think of last night's two hour premiere? I thought it was...ok. I was just so happy it was back on  and I could ooh and ahh over the outfits again.

But I just have one question....

Where was BETTY?

She's my fave and was very absent last night. But I read online she'll be back next week! Yay!

Randomness Round Up

I'm rocking a major cold today - thank you very much ever changing, rainy, pollen infused Charleston weather.

I'm pretty sure my entire work cubicle needs to be disinfected. "Why are you even at work?" you ask.... Good question. I should be home on my couch under a blanket. However, my employer only gives vacation days... not sick days. So, if I want to take a 'sick day', it's actually a vacation day. In other words, we all come to work sick here and share germs... a lovely mental image for you I'm sure.

Anyways...

So with the cold comes medicine that makes it hard to focus on just about anything...so forgive me if this post is so completely random....

I really want to work out today, but my body is saying "No, no, no..." I didn't work out yesterday because I felt blah, and I ate horrible all weekend...so I feel like I have to do something today. I usually take Blast 900 on Tuesdays, but with this cold I wouldn't make it through the first five minutes...so I'm on my own today. I'm thinking I could probably pull off something like this...

Source: pbfingers.com via Christy on Pinterest

But in the back of my mind I am not sure I'm feeling up to it...so I might just do an old faithful and hop on my elliptical and watch a new episode of my newest obsession on my Kindle Fire - Downton Abbey...which until recently I was referring to as Downtown Abbey (who knew?). I'm now a (proud??) Amazon Prime member - so I get free streaming movies, tv shows and book downloads. I'm curious to see how much I use it...but I also get free two day delivery on Amazon purchases, which is pretty cool. It's $79 a year to be a member - we had some credits from our wedding registry, so we decided to put it towards that.

Maybe all of this sneezing is exercise in itself...abs?

{sniff, sniff, sniff} {Ah..choo!}
Excuse me...stupid cold.

So my incredibly baby fine and thin hair has gotten almost to it's max length again. You see, my hair will not grow past my shoulders. "But Christy," you say, "your profile picture shows you with long, beautiful hair.." This is correct. As someone who lives with baby fine, thin hair that doesn't grow, I'm also a big investor in professional hair extensions from time to time -- but that's another post for another day.

So my {real} hair grows just about to my shoulders and then just gets stringy and flat. Usually when this happens, I chop it off and start over...it's a cycle I've had for years. And so now it's time to chop...

I'm super obssessed with Chelsea Staub's hair cut. And so is the rest of Pinterest...but I loves it. I used to have a similar cut a few years ago and I think I want to rock it again. I have to be careful not to go too short (above my chin) because my face is so round, aka chubby cheeks, but my hair always looks thicker and healthier when it's short. And it's so super easy to fix... granted, no more high buns on my head for a while, but that's ok.



Source: officialchelseastaub.com via Christy on Pinterest

Source: officialchelseastaub.com via Teresa on Pinterest

So I have an appointment Friday, and along with these two images, I'm also taking in a picture of fellow blogger Jess from The Kentucky Priss who recently had her hair cut in a simliar style and I love it...I hope she doesn't mind if I copy her, in addition to seriously printing out this picture and giving it to my hairdresser. :)

P.S. If you don't already, follow her blog! She is super sassy and funny - a great read!

Speaking of following blogs, thanks to Pinterest, I've found a few new fashion bloggers to follow - one is Classy Girls Wear Pearls. I love the preppy, New England outfits which remind me of Blair for Gossip Girl.

However, I'm suspicious of this girl - is she real? Is she real in that all of her photos look like staged photo shoots/catalogues. And...she works for Kiel Patrick James. I'm sure she's 'real', but I wonder if she's a model and some marketing team from Kiel Patrick James is ghost blogging as her.

Randomly in her outfits she's wearing Kiel Patrick James...but not excessivlely so. I mean... the photos are amazing and the outfits are great...but it's just a little too cataloguey (word?) and staged to be a real 'look what I wore today' fashion blogger. Thoughts?



Oh look, just me and my impecably dressed bff sitting
oh so pretty on a table while at work.

And speaking of clothes... I gave up buying any clothes for Lent. It's a major sacrafice for me, but a much needed break for my wallet. I went to Target today and had to plan my route so I wouldn't walk by the clothes...and I checked out with a bill under $100. That's got to be a Target trip record for me.

So in place of my shopping, I've been spending a lot of time on Polyvore, creating outfits with pieces I already own... I really should give up the shopping longer than just Lent and just shop my closets...yes, that would be plural... closets... hence my shopping problem.

Black & White stripe w/ Teal by charlestongirlblog

Finally, I leave you with some puppy cuteness. Everyone is posting the brooms standing on end and eggs standing up straight all over Facebook. At first I thought it was some faked thing to get 'breast cancer awareness' or something, but it's really a trick that works that has something to do with the equinox, leap year, planets aligning..blah blah. Google it.

So I posted this photo last night to Facebook...maybe I was just poking fun because I never could get my broom to balance on its own. {names have been hidden to protect the innocent}

Ok...enough from me. I hope you're all having a fabulous Tuesday. Cheers!

My ninja name is Mirishikiarichifu.

Source: polyvore.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Why or why not I may or may not be M.I.A.

1. My wedding is less than 3 months away... AHH!! Ordering invites, programs favors, finalizing menus, organizing song lists, first dress fitting (my dress is Ah-mazing!), got my shoes, hunting for and saving tons of 'wedding hair' potential photos, scheduling final meet ups with vendors, etc. etc. etc. Phew.
2. Football Season - I'm a loyal and devoted Clemson fan and of course a season ticket holder... Labor Day weekend was a trip to Clemson and I'll be back again this weekend for the Auburn game.
3. I'm finally getting serious about weight loss and healthiness - I now have a nutritionist (love!) and a personal trainer...
4. Work. The usual.
5. This past Saturday was me and my fiance's 5 year anniversary.
6. And what's really, really keeping me busy -- WE BOUGHT A HOUSE! {cheers...applause} We got an amazing house for an amazing price in Mt. Pleasant... we went from looking for a house to rent to making an offer and getting a contract on a house...all within about a week's time.

All of these warrant their own (or many) blog posts...so hopefully soon I'll have time to actually share more details with you.

Meanwhile... enjoy this randomly cute puppy photo of Willow to start your week with a smile... :)

Doesn't he look like Uncle Sam? He'll be 1 years old in a month!

P.S. I don't know if I'm using Pinterest correctly.. lol... I do a search for a keyword...say... 'bedroom inspiration' and I don't get very many search results. Is it only showing me the photos pinned by people I follow? Do I have to expand my Pinterest network to get more results??

How to Focus in the Age of Distraction

In lieu of the fact that I haven't blogged all week...if you find yourself incredibly busy with a million things on your to do list, and on top of that a million distractions, this neato graphic could help out... thinking I need to follow some of those arrows.

{via}

Charleston Bloggess Meet Up at Social tonight...

I'm excited about tonight...and I'm a little nervous too, lol.

What if I can't think of anything to say? What if nobody likes me? What if...what if...what if..

And most importantly...

What am I going to wear!?!? Ahh!

I'm hoping I can leave work a little early so I can get home and change, etc. and try to get to Social by 6pm. It's going to be cutting it close...

And is it silly that I might just take a cab so I don't have to worry about parking (and/or how many glasses of wine I consume)??

Looking forward to meeting everyone...see you there! :)

Set Fire to the Rain

"I love food and hate exercise. I don't have time to work out... I don't want to be on the cover of Playboy or Vogue. I want to be on the cover of Rolling Stone or Q. I'm not a trend-setter... I'm a singer... I'd rather weigh a ton and make an amazing album than look like Nicole Richie and do a shit album. My aim in life is never to be skinny." - Adele.

I think I will buy all of her albums just because of that comment. :) Oh yeah..and her music isn't too shabby either.

Nail polish for girls who don't paint their nails

Wow..I have been really MIA this past week... oops. Things have been crazy busy as usual.

Anyways... I wanted to share with you my new favorite, fun nail polish.

I hardly ever paint my nails. I don't really have long nails, and even though I try, they just don't grow. I also rarely get manicures -- I just can't get myself to spend $12 on something that I can do myself, sometimes better. And even though I can do it myself... I rarely do because I get frustrated when only days later, it's already chipping.

However... I keep my toes painted, so I buy fun polish colors from time to time to try out on my toes. Two weeks ago, I randomly tried this Celeb City polish from Sally Hansen on my nails just for fun while taking a break at work...and I loved the way it looked.

Blurry, but says "220 Celeb City"

This polish went on so easy and effortless - and you could do one coat for a more sheer look, or multiple coats for a more opaque look. It also has just enough of a sparkle to match my personality. :)

Plus, it didn't chip for well over a week. Winning!

Since it goes on slightly sheer with one coat, I used it on my toes over a navy polish -- looks really cool. But sorry, no pictures...as someone with ballet dancer feet, I promise the last thing you want to see are my toes! :)

Sorry I have been so lame in updating this blog...will try to do better this week. Cheers!

Dear South Carolina drivers...

If you are driving on a major road and see MULTIPLE traffic signs that clearly say "Incident ahead. Left lane closed", then that probably means you should put your blinker on, and get in the right lane.

Choosing to stay in the left lane and breeze by everyone else, then get up to the 'incident', stop almost completely and put on your blinker then (if you put your blinker on at all - this is a blog post for another day... #petpeeve) and wait for some chump to finally let you over (and you better wave thank you dangit! Yet another post for another day. #petpeeve) -- this is why there's traffic!

Bottom part of sign didn't show in pic - but clearly says, "Left lane blocked".
Check out all the cars in the left lane! Grr.

Then, when you drive by said 'incident' and completely turn your neck 90 degrees to the side, brake, and gawk at said 'incident' (which is usually just a minor car accident).... this is why there's traffic!

Oh, and check out the genius that is this major intersection in Mt. Pleasant currently undergoing construction... granted, it desperately needs the upgrade and once it's all said and done, it will be so much better (here's hoping)... but until then, they've...um... really screwed up this intersection... a stop light within a stop light? So, yes, I fear for my life every time I have to navigate this intersection...yikes!

Hey Mr. Stoplight, I would love to accelerate and go,
but there are still cars driving through!

And, is it really only Wednesday? I actually went through half the day today convinced it was Thursday... doh! And did my car really say it was over 100 degrees outside? :-/

Phew..ok. I feel better  Rant Over. :)

How about something cute and positive?

My little eskimo puppy - all curled up in the sheets.

Monday, Monday

Things that made me 'blah' today...

1. People who don't use their blinkers when driving - ok, this is a lifetime annoyance, but seemed to notice it more today
2. The random cold that has snuck up on me today for no reason {cough, sniffle, cough}
3. That it hasn't rained in like two weeks and it's still sooo hot -- fingers crossed it rains later this week
4. My puppy Willow wanting to go outside every five minutes - not to pee or poop - but to eat sticks and pinecones
5. The fact that I can never get to bed before 11pm...ok, who am I kidding, before midnight.
6. Wedding vendors not being cooperative, not doing their job, trying to add on ridiculous extra charges, etc. I'm looking at you Mr. hotel and Ms. reception hall!
7. The fact that wedding vendor stress (see #6) made me have a mini 30 sec. cry session
8. Work and work stuff.
9. A shrinking bank account.
10. It's only Monday.

Things that made me happy today...

1. Bridesmaid appointment at Bella Bridesmaid downtown with best friend Jtay, and I think we've found the dresses!
2. Large tumbler glasses that fit a LOT of coffee in them to keep me motivated through a blah Monday
3. The fact that I now drink coffee (officially a coffee drinker for a full week - lol!)
4. Gloria Akalitus on tonight's Nurse Jackie episode did the blowing in the raisin box to make a whistle trick -- I used to do this ALL the time when I was little. I forgot about it until tonight.
5. Daniel Island Hip Hop classes on Monday nights that take my mind off stress for 2 hours -- because I'm focusing so hard on learning the dances and trying to keep up...but also getting a killer workout
6. My puppy Willow - he can drive me crazy, but one snuggle and kiss from him makes me fall in love all over again
7. Unexpected friendships -- found out today that someone I wouldn't expect to had booked her flight to Vegas for my bachelorette
8. Packages on my doorstep when I get home from work with goodies from RueLaLa
9. An awesome fiance who not only takes over dog duty for the night, but also takes the Netflix movie back so I don't have to take the extra trip to Publix
10. Remembering this past weekend and knowing that we have another weekend coming up in Charleston with another Happy Hour and another beach day...#10 will get me through this week alone...{sigh}

Photos from the weekend...

Happy Hour on dock of Shem Creek Bar and Grill. This looks like a painting to me.

Gorgeous sunset views.

Plenty of shade and a breeze - how have we not come here before!?!

Very cool picture ruined by guitar man's ashtray and cigarette...but still
cool picture. Would love to take kayak tour on Shem Creek sometime.

Guy with guitar - great live music.

Bathroom stall sign in Shem Creek Bar & Grill. Hilarious.

Dinner at new Triangle bar in Mt. Pleasant - everything in there is recycled.

Part of the menu - had the Popcorn app (definitely recommend!) and
Pimento Cheese burger with sweet potato fries. Delish!

Miscellaneous Musings

Tonight we have Willow's final training class - his big test. We've been practicing and he can even do commands with just hand signals -- but -- he has to be calm to pay attention. When he's in hyper, excited puppy-mode, it's hard to get him to listen, let alone sit still. Wish us luck tonight! I hope he gets a cute little graduation cap.

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I really need to trim down my blog reading list -- but it's so hard.. I keep finding more blogs to follow instead of blogs to not follow. Yesterday alone I think I found four new Charleston blogs to follow - check them out in my right column. And they are all way cooler than me...

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And speaking of Charleston - this town is 'small'. Really. I feel like every day I meet someone who I know through some sort of crazy six degrees of separation. And now it's happening in the blog world... I just read on one fellow Charleston girl blog about a guy she hung out with one night last week... who just happens to be the same guy who stood up my best friend for drinks on Friday night...as in didn't even have the you know whats to send her a simple text and say he couldn't go. Geez....it's a small world after all.

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And speaking of Charleston bloggesses...and all of you bloggesses... I'm constantly amazed by how all of you can keep your blogs updated daily, work full time jobs, wear fabulous outfits EVERY DAY, exercise for at least an hour EVERY DAY, cook amazing meals (and have pictures posted on your blog to prove it) several times a week, paint your nails AND your toe nails a different color every week, go out on the town AND STILL HAVE TIME to reply to all of your blog post comments by email....

I often wonder what the heck is wrong with me... I somehow manage to get home from work at a decent time, do some sort of exercise (almost daily, but never daily), take a shower, eat dinner - which is usually some sort of microwavable meal, and barely get to bed at a decent time.

So really ladies -- HOW DO YOU DO IT?

Reading your blogs makes me think I need to take more time for cooking, going out, enjoying this amazing town that I live in...and not be so caught up in the rat race...sigh...if only it were that easy.

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Last month Southern Weddings Magazine put out a call for REAL reader couples - dating, engaged, or married - who live in Charleston for a photo shoot for their next issue. Since my fiance and I are REAL people and are engaged and live in Charleston...surely Southern Weddings Mag would totally pick us. They asked for models though... and headshots. Huh? But surely they want real people to accurately depict love and authenticity... so, maybe I could just send some fun, cute pictures of my fiance and I and surely they would pick us... and add in a cute email that talks about how in love we are, how we're not models, but we're fun, etc. etc. etc.... perfect, right?

I never heard back from them - not even a "We're sorry, but we found someone else" email. Or a "Sorry, we don't take pictures of short 5'3 girls with short, stubby legs and thin hair - we're looking for those beautiful Charleston girls that weigh 90 pounds." Nope, not even that. I got nothing.

And just yesterday they tweeted about the two 'awesome' couples that were 'so fun' for the Charleston photo shoot....

Blah. blah. blah. blah.

Yeah. I'm bitter. Lol.... I don't know why... but I AM! Ha ha... And yes this is dripping with sarcasm, so try not to take me too seriously.

Have you ever applied for something like that and were convinced you'd get picked - even as unrealistic as it was -and then when you didn't, were really bitter about it?

Yeah, yeah.. I'll get over it. But let me stew just a little.

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And can someone please explain to me why it's so crazy hot this week in Charleston? It's only May and it's already this hot!?!?! :(

Taken in my car on my way to grab lunch today - if you can't tell, it says 100 degrees F. Yup...100!

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And...it's official! My bachelorette will be in Vegas! Alright ladies -- all of you that have any kind of Vegas connections, it's time to help your 'ol blogger friend out here. :)


One of my best friends and I in Vegas last year for her 30th

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Ok...enough out of me. How is your week going? Who's ready for the four day weekend -- ME!!

Catching up...

Wow... once again I've failed to blog for an extended period of time. I get in these pockets of crazy busy in all aspects of my life and so this poor little blog has to take a back seat.

First and foremost, I am still thanking God every day for keeping my parents and my house in Birmingham safe during the tornado craziness that hit three weeks ago. The tornadoes went above and below the town I grew up in and where my parents live now. The map below was emailed to me by my mom - the blue dots represent everywhere a tornado touched down and the red dot is where my parents live. Insane.

I was on the phone with my dad as we watched the tornado go through downtown Birmingham -- and I'm pretty sure The Weather Channel was broadcasting from the balcony of my wedding reception venue.

It's been very sad to see updates from my Alabama friends on Facebook - everyone was posting photos and videos of all of the damage after it was over. So sad how random tornadoes can be.

Central Alabama has always been notorious for tornadoes - growing up I remember always being woken up in the middle of the night and going down to the basement. I don't ever remember it being as bad as this though... Truly heartbreaking. It really puts a lot of things into perspective.

On a happier note, we had our engagement photos taken! Yay! First a vintage shoot in downtown Charleston - very Mad Men-esque -- and then a casual shoot on the beach. The photos turned out amazing! I haven't gotten the full CD yet, but here are some sneak peeks:

Then we had a short week and then took off for our annual Emerald Isle, NC beach trip with our friends. It's always a fun, relaxing, get-away-from-it-all trip... we couldn't have asked for better weather. I was inspired by our engagement photo shoot and decided to play around with my ring and our Clemson rings to get some photos on the beach.

We completely forgot to get any pictures of our Clemson rings, and the lighting wasn't so great during the sunset to get pictures of my ring... so I decided to give it a try myself and I am very happy with the results! Our engagement photos photographer asked me to send them to her so she can play around with them, etc. I especially love the Clemson ring photos!

You should have seen the poses I was making on the beach to get these pictures, lol.. my butt was straight up in the air. All of our friends on the trip were laughing at me the whole time...but I don't care, it was worth it! :)

This week has been busy with work and wedding stuff - I finally finished our wedding website and Save the Dates are going out by this weekend! My goal - it shall get done!

How is everyone's week going? I have so much blog catching up to do... sorry I've been MIA with my comments... not that I'm ever good at that anyways. Sigh. :(

Just taking it one day at a time...