Weekends to Remember

Three Sundays ago (June 2, 2013):
My friends and I always wanted to try out the new Latin American restaurant that opened up in March. In March, right around the week it opened, we tried going but the wait time was around two hours. We waited a few months, hence June, and was able to get int. Something cool? This restaurant has the largest privately owned jellyfish tank IN THE WORLD. Zany, right?

We ate in the restaurant part and explored the upstairs after dinner. There's a tapas bar too, for those who just want appetizers. After we explored, we went to the place where the desserts were located (that's separate too). There was so many yummy desserts to pick from, so I chose the bubblegum gelato.

Trying this restaurant was one of the things on my '28 Before 28' list. Check.

Two Saturdays ago (June 8):
Some of my friends and I had a girl's night at one of the local bars near our houses. It was pretty low key, and I will spare the stories of the night of what happened. A lot of it is... "you would have to be there" moments. We took a couple of dozen pictures throughout the night (and every night we hang out), so I'll only show a few. Personally, I don't feel comfortable posting tons and tons of pictures of my friends on my blog; maybe a few here and there. Every weekend I do something and take pictures, but I'm just not going to post them, you know what I mean? (I'll just leave them on facebook). 

Between Monday and Thursday (June 11-13):
1. One of our news stations always posts a FB question around 4am to be answered on the news at sunrise (4:30am-7am. the question is usually answered between 5am to 5:30am). You answer the question via FB, and they will pick 2-3 comments to feature on the air. On Monday, my response was picked. They also said my name right, which is a win-win. There's another accomplishment marked off for the '28 Before 28'.

Here's the question: "Summer travel is finally upon us, and though we all love our smartphones and tablets... one type of vacation asks us to leave all that technology behind. Unplugged vacations allow travelers to disconnect from their devices, and really get away from it all. This morning we want to know if you could survive an unplugged vacation. Could you go a week without technology?" 

My response:

2. I found the camera I bought my husband (then boyfriend) about three years ago. it is perfect to put in my purse and to take out on the weekends. my dslr is too bulky and professional that i would look ridiculous if i brought it to the bar, or even just to my friend's house. I mean, my iPhone 5 camera is good, but the other camera is so much better.
3. I did a mini-Goodwill haul. I didn't nearly look at anything. I was helping a friend out. If I had looked at everything, I would've have been tempted to buy probably at least $150+. It's a good thing I didn't (I only spent around $55). I'll detail the haul in tomorrow's post.

Friday (June 14):
1. I went out to eat with my mom, uncle, and aunt at Malones. I got the usual and ate all of it: 16 oz. ribeye, country green beans, and steak fries. No regrets. 
2. My uncle had heart surgery earlier this week. We ordered the Apple Crisp for dessert and the waiter said it was on the house.

3. When leaving Malones, I noticed an SUV that had two dogs that were barking inside of it. There were no windows cracked and the car was off. I memorized their license plate and car make/model and called the non-emergency number to report them (I have it stored it my phone ever since the incident back in April). As they were giving me the number to call for such reports, I saw the lady get in her car. She had called ahead and went in to pick up her food. Luckily, I saw her get in her car or I would have followed through reporting on her ass. I probably still should have, because if she did it that one time... she probably has done it again and will before. 

4. I bought a chambray shirt for $2.50, as well as another shirt for $2.50 at Wal-mart. Score!


Saturday and Sunday (June 15-16):
1. I went to a cookout at friend's house. I went at 7pm and didn't get home until 5:30am the next morning. Around 2:30am, I drove one of my friends back home, and then stopped by Hardee's for breakfast. They didn't start serving it, until 4am. #firstworldproblems. I went back to my friend's house and stayed some, before getting back home at 5:30am.
2. Several of us went and watched "Superman Man of Steel."


This looks like it is going to be another eventful week. No sarcasm here. This summer is turning out to be the best ever!


Linking up with:
#YOLO Mondays with Lipgloss and Crayons, Monday Morning Gossip with Join the Gossip, Monday Mingling with One Haole Girl, Weekend Shenanigans with Sami's Shenanigans, This Weekend I... with Life of Love and Synfully Delicious, 

iPad Mini Giveaway!

About four months ago, I was contacted by Andrea at Mostly Happenstance to take part in her giveaway in celebration of finishing nursing school. About 24 bloggers came together to give away an iPad mini. I don't have an iPad mini, but I have an iPad 2 that I received for Christmas back in 2011. I absolutely love Apple products, and have so for years. Whoever wins is a very lucky girl (or guy)! FYI: Everyone only provided 2-3 links, which were GFC/Bloglovin, Twitter, and Facebook. No instagram, pinterest, 'click on this site and favorite this'. Just plain and simple entries which = more chances to win in a shorter amount of time. Here are those lovely, amazing ladies, including yours truly:

And here is where you can enter:
{Please read the Terms and Conditions}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Another Year. Another Anniversary.

getting ready for the cocktail hour and reception. photo by courtney j photography

I'm a little bit behind and feel like a total slacker for not posting on the actual day, but June 11 was my two year wedding anniversary. Two years! That's crazy to believe, because it doesn't even feel like it. 

I hope to do a real anniversary post later this month, complete with a sappy post and me trying on my wedding dresses (a yearly tradition, even know I missed last year. oops!) to go along with the post.

My husband is coming back home from his deployment SOON. I can't tell you the actual day, but it is SOON. I'm also glad that once he gets back, we get to go on a week long anniversary trip to Mexico. After that, we will be spending a week in Colorado with family. Can't wait!

I know the hubby is reading this... just wanted to say, "I love you" and sorry this post sucks!

If You are Thinking About Watching "The Purge"...

Ever since the trailer for "The Purge" aired, I was pumped. I wanted to see it so bad! It looked so creepy and eerie. I could have sworn if I watched it that I would be terrified to go to sleep, and have to sleep with one eye open. 

So, my friends and I decided to watch it...

In case you have been living under a rock and haven't heard of this movie, it is about:

"The Purge is a 2013 American horror-thriller film directed and written by James DeMonaco. The film stars Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey. The film is set in the year 2022, in which the United States has become "a nation reborn", with crime and unemployment rates hitting an all-time low. To keep these rates low, the government has instated an annual 12-hour time period called "The Purge", during which people can vent their negative emotions because all crime (including murder) is legal and emergency services are suspended."

Here are a list of my thoughts:

1. Thank goodness that I only paid $4.75 for it, and it wasn't even a matinee showing. It wasn't even worth that price. I'm glad that I didn't go to the more expensive theaters and pay $8-10.

2. The opening credits bored me. That's not a good sign.

3. It takes place in 2022, so I automatically started doing math. This takes place nine years from now. If you are automatically thinking of math, during the movie, then that's not a good sign.

4. About 10 minutes into the movie, I thought, "Holy crap. I'm going to fall asleep. This isn't good, because I really wanted to see it!"

5. I just wanted to curl up into a ball and sleep. I wasn't even tired!

6. The son is idiotic. He should've been thrown out of the house. (Even if you saw the trailer, you will know why). Actually, the whole family is just plain ignorant.

7. I wasn't expecting a deep movie or anything, but there was no character development or depth that even made you remotely care about the characters. You basically don't care if the characters live or die.

8. The premise of the movie is self-explanatory, but there is no reasoning behind certain parts.

9. The whole time, I kept thinking, that guy looks like Ethan Hawke. It is.

10. There are no scary parts or any parts that make you jump.

11. The trailer is better and scarier.

12. The masks are probably the only thing creepy about it.

13. If crime is legal, then there is no reason to wear masks. Murder is legal that night. Duh.

14. There are parts in the movie that are supposed to be "scary," but instead everyone burst out laughing.

15. I honestly thought the concept of the movie was intriguing, except it was not executed well at all.

16. It wasn't suspenseful and extremely lackluster.

17. I wish I had a time machine, so I could have gotten my time back.

18. Thank goodness it was only around 1 hour and 15 minutes long.

19. After it was over, I was thinking, "Wow. That's it? It's over? That was a short movie. Thank God!"

20. We almost walked out. THAT bad.

21. This is SO bad that I overheard people, behind me in the theater, trying to place blame on a friend, because it was their idea to watch it. 

22. I don't even give a shit if it is #1 at the box office. Next week, it won't be.

23. Rent "The Strangers" instead. It is loosely based on a true story, and it is way better. (There is no comparison).

24. There had better not be a sequel.

25. Overall, it was very anti-climatic.

26. There are positive user reviews online, which I swear people in Hollywood were paid to write (based on the content on the review). This movie is definitely not worth the money. Even if it was free, I wouldn't watch it again.

27. I saw on twitter, "Who would waste time killing people during The Purge? I would be robbing the mall and the Apple store." Truth.

28. Also, this is not a deep movie and most definitely not a movie that needs to be analyzed using social and political issues (socioeconomic class, poverty, crime, gun control, etc). No, just no. It's a movie, and a bad one at that. 

29. The only deep meaning that I can conclude from it was that "The Purge" occurs on March 21, which is usually spring. Spring can be referred to as "rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection,  and regrowth. "The Purge" is supposed a cleansing of your soul. That's the only deep meaning, and I can't believe I even thought of that.

30. Forget about the concept of "The Purge," and just think of it as a cheap, slasher flick. Sadly, the premise of the movie was thrown out of the window.

A review in six seconds...

Linking up with: 
#YOLO Mondays with Lipgloss and Crayons, Monday Morning Gossip with Join the Gossip, Monday Mingling with One Haole Girl

Project 365 (April 1-15)

Playing some catch up from April...

April 1

1. Cuddling with Royce.
2. Watching the launch with the team.

April 2

3. Puppies=love.

4. 1 year ago today... UK won the National Championship.

5. 1 year ago today... I was interviewed for the news.

6. Misikko review.

7. Bentley yawning.

April 3

8. Puppy cuddles.

April 4

9. eShakti review.

April 4

10. I can't believe I owned that shirt at one point. (Movie: The Pregnancy Pact)

April 5

11. This is the MOST ridiculous way to curl your hair. No way that could work, but it would make you look ridiculous.

April 6

12-13. OOTD post.

14. Puppy kisses.

15. Bentley.

16. Bentley and me.

17. One of my friend's dogs.

18. Two of my friend's dogs.

April 6

19. Friends.

April 6

20. Two of my friend's dogs.

April 7

21. Truth.

April 8

22. Royce.

23. Royce.

April 9

24. A free photobook courtesy of Shutterfly.

25-26. R.I.P. Sophie.

April 10

27. Royce.

28. Photo bombed by Bentley

April 10

29. Yummy.

April 10

30. Fact.

April 11

31. Lounging outside.

32. Pink lemonade cupcake.

33-34. The boys.

April 12

35. Maddy Nash clutch (won from a giveaway)

36. Anchor shirt.

37. Sperrys.

April 13

38. Relvon BB cream (free from Klout or BzzAgent)

39. Dinner.

April 14

40-42. Royce.

April 15

43. Royce again.

44. Birthday gift from Sephora.

45. Usd 500 beauty reward points.
46. Lip Tar.

April 15

46-47. Peplum tops from Arden B. On sale for $15.49 and $26.40.

48. Cobalt blazer from Forever 21

April 15

49. Skirt from Twisted Simplicity (won from giveaway)

I Don't "Work Out" on Vacation and a Subway Fail

I haven't worked out in a week, and that's okay. I was on vacation for a couple of days, and I'm never going to be one of those people that work out on vacation.  No offense. I mean to each their own, but it just isn't how I choose to do things. I may "work out" in ways (swimming, walking, etc), but I'm not going to the gym or run. Maybe some may think I am making excuses, but usually when I go on vacation my itinerary is jammed pack. Plus, I want to have fun and taking a few days off, or even a week, is not the end of the world.

For example. on a cruise. We usually wake up and/or are ready to go between 6am-9am, depending on when our excursion leaves. The excursions we choose are at least six to eight hours long, so we usually arrive back on the ship around 4pm to 5pm. Then after that, we have to shower and get ready for dinner at 6pm (it's assigned-we chose to pick the early dinner). Then after dinner, which is around 8ish, I suppose I could, but I don't. Later, swimming, walking around, gambling, and going to an event is involved. Sometimes by 11pm, I am so tired that I go straight to bed from the adventure-filled day. Repeat.

Just as long as you are doing some type of activity, I think that's good. I don't think you have to continue to have the same regime you do at home. I think you should be active in some sort of way and just make sure you don't overindulge (even if you do, I think that's okay as well!) I like to get out, see my surroundings, because chances aren't wherever I am at, I won't be back for awhile (because I like to go to different places every year, instead of the same over and over).

I'm starting back my routine but adding extra workouts into it as well. Like I said before, I'm more into being toned and fit and strong, rather than losing weight. I already wear a small size and my pants/shorts are baggy and falling off of me. Someone actually noticed that my arms were more toned and muscular. I can't really tell, but I would say that is a small success. I'm going to just keep on keeping on. Even though I haven't worked out in a week, the weight is still staying off, which is good!

I need to drink my gallon of water of day, but I find it hard to do that. It is mostly, because I hate water. Hate hate hate. I have packets that help make it taste better that aren't bad for you, but I just end up forgetting. I just downloaded the iPhone app, Waterlogged to help with reminding me.

"Waterlogged is an iPhone app that can help you track your intake with minimal effort and analyze past data for an accurate look at your water consumption.

Tracking is really easy because you just have to enter glasses and water bottles once. Every time you drink a (partial) glass or bottle of water you can just choose it from a list (completely with photos, if you add them) and it will be added to your tally. Waterlogged will also let you set reminders so you don't go too long without something to drink." -via

In case you don't know, I'm doing REVOLT fitness, which was created by Nichole Huntsman. I'm on my fourth week with the program. You can read my past posts: here and sign up: here, if you are interested! 

I'm also continuing to do Jillian Michaels Six Week Six Pack on top of that. REVOLT is five days of workouts (three are cardio, one is upper body sculpt, and one is lower body sculpt). I use two 8 lb. weights for all those exercises (REVOLT and Jillian Michaels). These are the weights that I've had for about three years. 

I know some people say that can't commit to an exercise program. Let me ask you, do you have an extra 20 to 30 minutes? I bet the answer is yes.

My husband will be back SOON and Mexico will be here before I know it!

I went to Subway, because I was wanting one of their sandwiches. I remember back earlier this year in January that a man in Australia posted a picture of him measuring the sandwich. The picture went viral and Subway was even being sued, because the footlongs were not twelve inches. They then claimed they would ensure all the footlongs would be twelve inches. I remembered this story, so when I got home, I put it to the test. Verdict?

11 inches. Major fail, Subway. The sandwich was so good that I'll forgive you, and let this one slide.

Dreams are Goals with Deadlines

I'm no stranger with it comes to goals and lists. I am always looking for ways to accomplish whatever I have in mind, and I'm all about bettering myself. There's nothing more than I love than having new experiences, especially when it comes to sightseeing and travel. I could have an endless list just for my goals related to travel!

Now, I only have 11 months to accomplish these goals! I believe I am going to quit doing an additional 10 to 15 goals for each season. It's becoming harder and harder to come up with new goals that don't overlap on the other lists. These goals listed below are different than was is on my 101 in 1001 list!

1. Speak Spanish fluently. In the past, I've taken two years in high school, and another two years in college. Currently, I can read it a whole lot better than speaking it. There will be a separate post dedicated to this in the future.

2. Have one of my facebook comments appear on the news at sunrise.

3. Be the facebook fan of the day on the news.

4. Go to a place in the Caribbean that I haven't been before. 

5. Spend the night in Waverly Hills aka one (if not THE) most haunted places on Earth.

6. Do the 30x30 fashion challenge.

7. Do the 31 dresses challenge.

8. Do a boudoir photo shoot.

9. Take a picture like the one above...

10. Visit Tom+Chee, which is a restaurant well known in Cincinnati and Louisville. You might have saw them on Shark Tank, where they landed a $600,000 deal.

11. Get another tattoo.

12. Try the new Latin American restaurant, Coba Cocina that opened up back in March.

13. When the husband comes back home, cook at least three to five eMeals meals a week (not including the times we will be eating at home with recipes that aren't eMeals).

14. Try ten new foods.

15. Do twenty pushups without stopping.

16. Read twelve books.

17. Get published in a magazine.

18. Go to the Keeneland fall and/or spring meet.

19. Have a cookout and invite friends over to the house.

20. Spend another night in the Wildwood Inn, but in a different room. Last time, we were there (in 2010), we stayed in a room that had a champagne glass hot tub.

21. Go on a dinner cruise. This boat is 100 years old, and is the oldest river steamboat in operation!

22. Go on a picnic.

23. Create a list of places that I want to see and things I want do, regarding traveling.

24. Take the husband to the live Titanic exhibit. I saw it back in 2006, and that it was pretty cool!

25. Make a piñata cake.

26. Refinish a piece of furniture.

27. Get amazingly toned and fit.

28. See a volcano.

Linking up:

Just Because with Northern Belle Diaries

Thursday Thoughts with Toby's Tails and Simple Southern Ways 

Beach Shenanigans

(left to right): 1. our view from the room/2-4. the beach/5. sunset from our room/6. eating at the 2nd floor restaurant at the Hilton

I was lucky enough to be able to travel to the beach for Memorial Day weekend, which is also of our our friend's birthday. She had never seen the ocean or been to the beach before, so it was decided that would be her birthday gift! So, the four of us loaded in the car about 3am, and drove the 9 to 10 hours to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We ended up arriving around noon, so we had plenty of time to enjoy our first day there!

(left to right): 1. our first day there/2. getting ready for the beach/3. i purchased FIVE bathing suits while I was there (one isn't pictured). that makes TEN that i bought in this year alone/4. me on our second day there.

bikini top: OP/bikini bottom: can't remember the brand

bikini top: OP/bikini bottom: PacSun

The weather was perfect. It was warm, but not too hot. Plus, it didn't rain, which was awesome. The weather is one of the things, regarding vacations that is unpredictable. You just never know what is going to happen, until you get there.

While I was sitting on the beach, this random guy came up and started talking to me and I was too pretty to be sitting on the beach by myself. (I was watching our towels and bags. It was a good thing, because if I hadn't the high tide would have washed it away. I had to move it twice, because the tide kept coming in). After we talked for a few minutes, he asked for my number, so we could hang out later. I politely told him no, and that I was married. He then said my husband was a lucky guy.

While driving back home, we saw a bumper sticker that said, "Dump 'em out." We thought it was weird, yet funny, so I googled it. The first search term was under Urban Dictionary. "Dump 'em out" means show your titties. For example, "Girl, your titties are huge, drop 'em out!" Haha! We couldn't stop from laughing!

I'm sad to come back home, because I love the beach so much. One day, I'm going to live by the beach!


Next stop... Mexico!

Linking up with:
#YOLO Mondays with Lipgloss and Crayons, Monday Morning Gossip with Join the Gossip, Monday Mingling with One Haole Girl, Weekend Shenanigans with Sami's Shenanigans, This Weekend I... with Life of Love and Synfully Delicious, Random Wednesday with Because Shanna Said So, Wednesday Walkabout with Pursuit of Poppiness, Scattered Shells, G.I. Joe's Wife, Handling with Grace, Wild Card Wednesday with Hooah and Hiccups