Thoughts on Life Brought to You By Laguna Beach...

Im (majorly) ashamed to admit Ive been re-watching Laguna Beach. Not only does it make me feel awkward and uncomfortable more often than not but it made me remember a very odd feeling I remember so well.
The most recent episode I watched was when all the older kids (in Laurens class) come home for Christmas and hang out with each other as well as the current senior class at their Alma matter. I.e. Lauren and Kristen resume feuding over Stephen- lame.

Do you guys remember how weird it sometimes felt to be home from school during summer, Christmas, Easter or heaven forbid spring break (way uncool)? Sure it was nice to be in your “own” bed, get to spend time with your parents, not have to save each and every quarter you came across for laundry and you got to see your friends youd missed your entire first semester but it also felt odd- our of place even. Your home no longer felt like your home.

Your best friends were still your best friends but you found yourself missing your new college friends. You laughed at things nobody else understood because they were inside jokes you made with your roommate or suitemate. Your parents made you feel a little guilty if you didn’t balance time with them versus time with the friends you were dying to see and catch up with. You secretly missed your college bed and if you lived in a dorm, it was a twin. My dorm? Was co-ed and AWESOME. You didn’t know how it was possible to miss your messy pot-luck roommate. Many of the activities in your hometown felt a little bit amateur or silly. You had to see your ex and while it was bittersweet, lets be honest, youd rather see that boy you have been crushing on from your intro to MassComm class instead.

I moved back to the city I grew up in after college and still live here. I still pass by my high school and can smell the hallways. I can see the chalk boards and feel the band playing at pep rallies before I stepped onto the floor to dance. I can remember Fridays and how they held so much possibility for what may come after the football games. I remember feeling like all my emotions couldn’t possibly ever feel more intense: the friendships, the heartache, the laughter, the tears and the goodbyes.

Watching Laguna Beach- witnessing these kids (again) stumble through what they determined to be life altering decisions makes me remember how silly I was when I was 17. If only I knew then what I know now… it really makes me chuckle.

"Wisdom" To Share?

My sweet is getting all four of his wisdom teeth out on Friday. I apparently had very little wisdom and only had one and it needed to be pulled. I had a much swifter recovery than I expect him to have and plan to stock up on lots of soft/chewless foods for him.

What did you eat? What did you hate?

On a related note- when I had my tonsils out in college, I was assured over and over there would be very little in my immediate future besides ice cream. That. Was. A. lie.

Forever and a day

My wonderful fiance sent me this poem today. It made my heart melt. 133 days until were man and wife.

You are my description of love
You are my description of friend
You are my description of everything
You are my description of beginning to end.

You have put me on a pedestal
You make me feel ten feet tall
You've always been there for me
You've loved me through it all.

You've stood by me through thick and thin
You've always been patient and kind
Just thought I'd let you know
You're the owner of this heart of mine.

So you ask how long I'll love you
Well this is what I have to say
Past, present, future, always
Forever and a day!

Teen Mom Amber

Any of you out there that watch Teen Mom noticed Amber is half her previous size lately? Think its due to her completely dysfunctional relationship? Or her depression/anxiety meds? Either way… the girl is skinny!!

Before:

After:

Dare I say she looks… good?

A Prayer Answered- Immediately

Within 30 minutes of my last (whiney, bitchy) post, I looked out my window and saw the most amazing sight. Its as if my prayer was answered- just like that!

On the south side of our house:

On the north side:

Watching it all come together:

BRING ON THE RAIN!

HOT HOT HOT

Its mind blowing how hot it is here in Texas. I know that’s pretty much the most obvious thing I could possibly post but its absolutely unreal. Growing my hair out for our wedding mixed with daily hot yoga on top of a job that keeps me in and out of my car over and over all day long makes for a miserable, sweaty girl. I decided to switch it up from my normal yoga routine and walked a lake near our house the other day. 50 minutes later I had an AWFUL sunburn and had a headache from borderline heatstroke. Im sick of facebook posts with pictures of inside car temperatures, people talking about it everywhere I go, the weatherman warning us all to stay inside and drink lots of fluids, the heavy humidity and I am so sick of sweating. Fall and Winter, where are you? Please hurry up and show your face!

I suppose this is what I might look like as a pre-pubescent boy?

Try It Thursday: Shock Top

As an unfiltered Belgian-style wheat ale, this beer is naturally cloudy with a light golden color. Its brewed with orange, lemon and lime peels and coriander. Shock Top is great paired with fresh salads, chicken dishes and Asian cuisine and is best enjoyed in a tall, wide-mouthed glass. One important tip to keep in mind when serving wheat beers is to lay the bottle on its side and roll it gently back and forth, mixing the remaining yeast that has settled at the bottom. Pour the rest of the brew, producing a nice, thick collar of foam (aka a head on your beer).

Malt: Wheat, Two-Row Barley
Hops: Cascade, Willamette International Bitterness Unit 20
5.2% ABV and 168 calories

Wedding Wednesday: Shoes- Done!

I found a pair of shoes that I literally fell in love with. Naturally they have been discontinued and are only available on the Nina website as “design your own” option. Much to my surprise they were quite comfy. I have a pair on below in purple but ordered them in a different color. Sadly Im going to make you wait until I actually get them in my hands before Ill take a picture and share... just as soon as I get to meet them myself!

My Birthday

I had an amazing birthday. I was showered with love not just on the day but all week long. Rather than bore you with details, I will show you the week in pictures.

And yes, even I got “iced”

Adventures in Photography

My furry muses:

Summer Sandwich: Salmon BLT

I made a fun summery meal for dinner Monday and wanted to share. Derek is not a huge salmon fan so I have to doctor it up quite a bit for him to give it a shot. I present to you- Salmon BLTs:


What you will need:

4- 2 oz skinless salmon filets
Salt
Pepper
Olive oil
Country bread (I used Pepperidge farm whole wheat and toasted it)
Mayonnaise
Lettuce
Tomato
Bacon

- season the salmon filets with salt and pepper- cook in olive oil on medium-high heat until opaque (2-3 minutes per side)

- spread 4 slices bread with mayonnaise
- top with lettuce and sliced tomato, the cooked salmon and cooked bacon.

I also made a salad on the side with the extra tomatoes I had. I chopped up 3 tomatoes, a cucumber and added fresh mozzarella cheese and soaked it all n balsamic vinaigrette in the fridge for a couple hours.

Enjoy!

Wedding Wednesday: Shoes

Alright loves- I need to decide on wedding shoes. I think at the reception Ill probably wear something very comfy for walking around/dancing so Im not looking to find a pair that Im foolish to believe Ill be comfy in all night.


Here are some shoes for the ceremony I found. None of them look particularly comfortable. If any of you know anything about the Nina brand- i.e. they run big or small or theyre death traps, etc- please share your wisdom.

These: The color of the shoe would match my sash perfectly; the lace ties in the bulk of my wedding dress and the black ties in my bridesmaids dresses- but are they too much?

These:  They would match match my sash.

These: They are a fun color like Id assumed I wanted all along

So, ladies, thoughts? Any other brands I should check out?

Happy Birthday To Me!

Happy Birthday to me! Its officially been 27 years of Desiree. This will be my last birthday with my maiden name and my last to splurge on a gift for myself without asking for permission to spend as much as I want. I bought myself a new dress but much to my frustration I cannot find a picture of it online- Ill post a picture later if I remember to get one while were out.

Tonight I will be celebrating with my love over dinner, drinks and desert and I plan to overindulge like crazy.

Nostalgic- Missing My Mom

Growing up in my house was anything but ordinary. I tease my Mom all the time for her unconventional ways but I cant help looking back and feeling very nostalgic for some of the littler things we did as a family and the things she did for me. Many traditions were instilled in me that I never really realized would carry on and possibly be passed on to my own family.

My Mother allowed me to open one gift on Christmas eve- we would video tape the openings that night and the next day and send them to our family that lived back east. It made for some awkward moments but looking back, it really was such a fun idea.

Birthdays were huge in our house. My Mom always made sure to wish me a happy birthday right at the time I was born (1:22 AM). Wed switch every other year between a huge party or a trip. Its hard to remember all the places we went but my favorite memory was being told on the way to the airport wed be landing in Florida that evening to visit Disney World. That was an unforgettable birthday.

My Mom used to cut fresh lavender from our garden and stuff it into my pillow cases. At the time it annoyed me more than anything because it was crunchy and would poke me in the face while sleeping. Now? I cant smell lavender and think of anything besides my Mom and her devoted ways of loving me.

After 12 years of studio dance I tried out for and made the drill team at school. I had to be in the gym as early as 530 AM everyday. As if her waking up to drive me there herself wasn’t enough- she still made sure I was up and out the door on time once I got my license. She always took a few extra minutes to make me a healthy breakfast and set it in my car next to my vitamins so I could eat on the way. When it was hot outside shed turn the car on and blast the AC to cool the car for me and when it was cold, shed turn on the heater so it was nice and toasty by the time I had to leave.

Its funny how while growing up we so often take these little symbols of love for granted. Now as I grow older and take steps closer to having my own family, I only hope I can love my child and make sure to show it in my own ways as much as my Mother did. She truly made me feel like the center of her universe every single day.

Kindle

With my birthday rapidly approaching (Tuesday, hint hint) my Mom has asked me what I want. I am having a hard time thinking of any ideas and wanted to get some feedback from you, dear readers. Do any of you have a Kindle, if so- do you like it? What are some benefits of using one rather than an actual book? I see positives and negatives and wondered what you all thought? Help!