(boring) weekend recap

Hi sweet readers! Thank you so much for the kind words on my new job! I am feeling half blessed/half not so much because on one hand, I am already working a full time job and wish that I made enough money to be living comfortably, but I'm just not...and on the other hand, this is the first job I've applied for and had a very easy time going through the interview process. Granted, it's not like I got a job with the CIA, but you still have to make a good impression and answer questions so I feel good knowing that the interviewers liked what they saw.

This weekend I was able to stumble upon some really good deals at the mall! My new job requires all black so I knew that I'd be needing to stock up on shirts. I found two at Express that I liked enough to purchase. I will say that the sequin top runs big. I normally wear a Medium or even a Large, depending on style, but I fit comfortably into a Small. The other top is basic, but it's dressed up by chiffon sleeves and ruffles at the neckline. With my coupon, I paid only $50 for both shirts and a lip gloss/perfume travel stick (using a $15/$75 coupon).

Gap is always hit or miss for me because I think their style can be kinda boring and expensive. They were having a great sale (buy one top get one free) this weekend. We all know I love my cardigans, and lately I have been in love with the mint green color I see everywhere so I was able to pick one up. I also found a really cute scallop-trim top and I fell in love! Since it was B1G1, I only paid $30 for both.

Oh, and I also bought a jewelry display for my wall. I saw this over on Christina's blog and I'm so glad I did. I'm so excited to finally be able to see all of my accessories in one glance (well, not all, but my most favorite ones). The only complaint I have is that the ring holder doesn't actually hold rings...they all fell out! But I just put them on the tray instead. I also have a ton more earrings, but my arm was getting tired from getting them all in so I quit :) Anyway, I picked this display up at Bed Bath & Beyond for $23.99 (used a 20% off coupon).

I also made it to the gym Friday night and Sunday morning. It felt good to work out and sweat.

All in all, I guess it was a productive weekend!

Tonight I'm looking forward to hitting the gym after work, making spaghetti for dinner (or eating leftover pizza, I haven't decided), and watching Dancing with the Stars! I wasn't planning on watching this season but of course the premiere sucked me in! My top 3 favorites: Kirstie Alley, Ralph Macchio, and Hines Ward (never thought I'd say that because I really don't like the Steelers!). My least favorite: Wendy Williams and Chris Jericho (I honestly still don't know who he is). Oh, and I still despise Brooke. If she would just go away, the show could be 100 times better. I know, I'm mean.

happy friday!

sorry i've been absent the past week. no real reason, i just haven't had an urge to blog. i was going to do a best of the week post today, but couldn't find the time to put it together. instead, i'll share with you a couple of things:

1. ben & jerry's late night snack is the most amazing ice cream ever. if you have the chance, i highly recommend trying it...the flavor is seriously addicting.

2. fellow blogger sweet carolina girl is hosting a spring time giveaway! the prize? a lilly pulitzer laptop tote, which is just too cute! go check it out, and you should be reading her blog anyway, she's full of fun!

3. i decided to get a part-time job and i was lucky to find an amazing opportunity! i will share more later, but if in the coming weeks i am less present around here, that is probably the reason. i hope that i will be able to handle a 40 hour/week full-time job plus a 25+ hour/week part time gig. i know i'll appreciate the extra money, but i'll probably be pretty tired!

4. have any of you been watching survivor: redemption island? i think this season has been so good! i hate the purple team, but the orange team is pretty awesome. rob is playing quite the game this season, and phillip's frequent outbursts are hilarious and sad all at the same time.

5. speaking of tv, top chef all stars has been really good too! i am praying that richard wins next week because if mike wins, i will lose all of my faith in the tastebuds of culinary gods like tom collichio.

okay, i think that's it. i will try to be better about blogging next week! have a great weekend :)

Randoms & my ABC's

happy st. patrick's day!

The Jumping on the Fit Train feature has been delayed until further notice. I am still watching TBL and I am still working toward my fitness goals, but my routine is pretty consistent and I know that can be boring to read over & over again. If any of you would like to talk/gossip about TBL, exercise, staying motivated, etc., please feel free to send me an e-mail. The show continues until the middle of May, and I will probably do the feature every now and then, especially if I find myself slacking or losing motivation. So it's probably not gone for good, just for now.

My best friend had her baby last night! She was in labor ALL day, and finally had a c-section late last night. Her son, Hunter Luke, was born 9 lbs 15 oz and 22 inches long. And he is seriously adorable. I wish I could have been there for the big event but luckily, our other best friend was there, constantly texting me and letting me know what was going on. My mom is going by the hospital today so I can't wait to hear her report on how mother and son are doing.

Hi to all of my new followers! I've seen a few new faces around recently, and it makes my heart happy. Blogging is so fun for me and I love all of the new bloggy friends I get to make! Please leave a comment so I can come check out your blogs; not all of you have a link attached to your profile so it can be hard for me to find you. Since I've got some new people here, now is as good a time as any to do the ABC's of me!

Age: 26 - soon to be 27 (in 39 short days).

Bed size: California King.

Chore you hate: Washing dishes, cleaning the kitchen.

Dogs: None right now, but I'd love to have one when I have a backyard.

Essential start to your day: Checking my e-mail.

Favorite color: I wear a lot of of neutrals - black, white, tan.

Gold or silver: Silver.

Height: Only 5' 3".

Instruments that you can play: I used to play the violin, but that was many moons ago.

Job title: D*esktop Publishing Specialist.

Kids: None, but I've got the fever...however, I'm nowhere near ready for that responsibility, and I'd like to have a couple years of marriage under my belt as well.

Live: Sunny California.

Mom’s name: Barbara.

Nicknames: Ang, Booger (don't ask - this was given to me by my brothers), Ah Gee Ya (baby in Korean - my Dad calls me this).

Overnight hospital stays: None.

Pet peeve: I have so many, but they all stem from my lack of patience. I guess talking on your cell while driving (totally illegal here), switching lanes without using a blinker, and store salespeople that won't leave you alone and make you feel uncomfortable when you don't buy anything.

Quote from a movie: "Ted Nugent called...he wants his shirt back." Ocean's Eleven.

Righty or lefty: Righty.

Sibling: Three older brothers (read more about them here).

Time you wake up: On a weekday - 8:30; on a weekend - usually around 9:30 or 10.

Underwear: Is this asking if I wear underwear? Because I do.

Vegetables you dislike: Bell peppers!

What makes you run late: I think being late is in my blood. It's a running joke with all of my friends, I'm always the last to arrive. And you couldn't pay me to get to work on time (which is ironic because they are paying me, and I'm still not on time).

X-rays: I had one when I sprained my finger while playing badminton in middle school and another when I was in a car accident my senior year of college.

Yummy food you make: C and I have become experts at making homemade pizzas. But as long as a recipe is good, my food turns out good. It's when I'm cooking on a whim that my food turns out less than spectacular.

Zoo favorite animal: I love the pandas!

Let me know if you do this so I can check out your answers!

lazy.

boy was i lazy this weekend, but it felt so good to catch up on my sleep! besides an afternoon hike on saturday and a trip to the gym on sunday, i pretty much lived on the couch in my pajamas!

c and i rewarded ourselves with delicious Bánh mì after the hike. so yummy!

c was out of the house on sunday so i was left to fend for myself. after a trip to the gym (the guilt was killing me), i settled onto the couch for hours upon hours of bad reality television.

first up, bethenny ever after. umm, i have seen bethenny around for awhile, but i'm still not really sure what she did to become famous. i don't necessarily like this show, but it was too addicting to turn away. i've decided to tape the next episode and see if i want to continue watching. c was home for part of it, and he expressed his dislike for bethenny in about 247 different ways so i'm pretty sure he will not be on board to add this to our lineup.

next, i was sucked into the real housewives of miami. this was a first for me as i never really got into any of the "real housewives" series. drama, drama, drama! i am going to record the series for when i have a rainy day and nothing to do. i don't like any of the housewives, but i especially dislike christy.

[i had to fast forward through the parts

with marysol's mother]

after these two shows, surely you would think i was convinced to step away from the tv. no can do, my friend. next up, kourtney & kim take new york. this was probably my least favorite of my newfound reality shows. i have no desire to watch/see any more of this family, especially kim. and really, the show is boring. does kourtney even have a personality? maybe her sister kim does, but she is so busy trying to look perfect that she makes no facial expressions except clueless.

not to be left out, khloe & lamar premieres on april 10. they seem like a really sweet couple and khloe doesn't seem to be as into the drama as her sisters.

i also watched holly's world. i like holly from her girls next door days, but this show really isn't the same. i am honestly wondering if laura has a brain inside of her head. also, i think the whole jayde-holly drama is childish and it seems like it's played up for the drama factor.

i had to end on a good note so i decided to watch morning glory. i thought this movie was really cute, and it put a smile on my face. rachel mcadams, harrison ford, and diane keaton were all really good in their respective roles.

and that was my weekend in a nutshell. absolutely boring but just what i needed.

what did you do??

Best of the Week

It's been a busy week around these parts! I've had to neglect my blog in favor of doing other stuff, like work...lame! Don't they know I am in need of a vacation from my vacation?! :)

Best of the Week

March 7 - 11, 2011

By far, the best news of the week is that Megan of In this Wonderful Life is pregnant...with TWINS! I believe in prayer and I know that many of us were praying for Megan and Brent, and continue to do so, and I felt this was like a prayer being answered!

(via)

Thanks to Mrs. Jansson, I learned about the Starbucks Tribute Days, happening until Saturday March 12, from 2-5 pm. With every drink purchased, you will receive your choice of Starbucks Petites, a new line of sweet treats all under 200 calories! I needed an afternoon pick-me-up yesterday so I treated myself to a Passion Tea Lemonade and a salted caramel sweet square. It was the perfect size to satisfy my sweet tooth without making me feel guilty for indulging.

Head to your local Starbucks to get your own Petite treat!

Are you sick of Charlie Sheen? I actually feel bad for him, and think he needs real help before he totally goes off the deep end. However, I can't get enough of this song on YouTube...it is hilarious!

Childbirth...Winning! Colin Firth...Winning!

Tinky Winky's Purse...DUH...Winning!

(at the 1:18 mark)

Well, I guess that's it. I'm off for a laid-back 2 1/2 day weekend (work is treating us to mini golf and lunch then we are released for the day!!) with zero plans! After nearly 10 days of vacation-ing, I'm quite ready to kick up my feet, catch up on my favorite shows, and veg out.

What's on your "Best of the Week" list?? Do share in the comments below.

Sweet Tea Junkie Winners

Thank you to everyone who entered the Sweet Tea Junkie giveaway and a big thank you to Michael for graciously offering the prizes! There were a total of 36 entries, and the winners are as follows:

Welcome to the South - aconklin

Sweet Tea Script - ae

Shop Credit of $21.50 - Bink

Please contact me ASAP with an email containing:

- Shirt Size (choice of shirt for Bink only)

- Shipping Address

I will forward your information on to Michael, and he will get your shirt in the mail!

(my email is sweetteadiaries @gmail.com)

Vegas Vacation Recap

Aaaahhhh!! Hi friends, I've missed you so much!

I can't believe it's been over a week since I've blogged! We were busy nearly every single second of this vacation. This is going to be a massive picture dump and recap of the major highlights of the trip. There were A LOT so get ready...

For the first few days, it was just me, C, and my parentals. Since my dad was there on business, he was gone most nights working the night shift. We spent a lot of time in the casinos, eating out (yikes!!), and Mom and I did get our nails done (tried gel for the first time, and I love it).

Some highlights from Monday through Thursday included:

• Winning $200 on a $1 slot machine! I have to tell you that I put in a $20 bill, bet two times at $1, then pressed max bet ($5) ONE time and got this!! It was a $200 payoff.
  

• Seeing D*onny & M*arie perform at the Flamingo! We decided to go to this show because Mom is a big fan and C grew up with their variety show. I was never really introduced to their music, but after the show, I now love them! Haha! They're such born entertainers, and really good singers! (I wasn't supposed to take pictures!)
  

On Thursday morning, C's parents and other family arrived. He met up with them to go to the Hoover Dam and that's when Mom and I went to get our nails done. We had the show that night so my Mom and I met the family very briefly before heading to the show. They were all tired from a full day of traveling so we waited until Friday for the full introductions and to spend time together.

On Friday, I accompanied C and his family on a tour of the Las Vegas strip! We rode the Deuce bus, which takes you to all the casinos. When we got on, there was a man wearing a pirate suit and hat with a parrot on his shoulder. He just goes up and down the bus, basically harassing riders by forcing the hat and parrot on them. Then he expects a tip, which I found so annoying. Poor C is a major germaphobe, and he was quickly targeted by Pirate Man. It was gross!


Of course we walked through the Atrium at the Bellagio, which is always fun to see, and caught one of the fountain shows.




After a couple of hours of walking around, we were all getting really hungry (and cranky)! At our stop in the Paris hotel, we discovered the yummiest restaurant - Le Burger Brasserie. They had delicious drinks, a french fry sampler, great burgers, and a tower of onion rings! Seriously so good!


On Friday night, the two families got together, and it couldn't have gone more perfectly! We just all "clicked" and both C and I were so happy! Our parents got along famously, and stayed up until midnight (3 nights in a row!!) chatting and sharing stories about both of us.

After they went to bed, the young(er) folks went to the Peppermill to enjoy drinks and snacks! This picture is of Mishi, C, me, Jeanie, and Al. Jeanie is C's first cousin, Al is her husband, and Mishi is their daughter (she is also best friends with C).


On Saturday, we did things with our own families. I had promised C's Mom that I would make her red velvet cupcakes so I spent the morning doing that. The entire family loved them! The recipe I used can be found here and I used the frosting recipe from here.


On Saturday night, everyone went to the top of the Rio to see the sunset and enjoy some cocktails (What the Witch Doctor Ordered - a crazy drink with dry ice). This is a picture of the whole group!

From L to R: Jeff (C's Dad), my Dad, me, C, my Mom, Mishi, Al, Danny (C's Mom), and Jeanie.

I am really not exaggerating when I say that the whole thing couldn't have gone more smoothly. Our families really just meshed and it was amazing. I never felt nervous around any of them, the conversation was easy and natural, and we just have so much in common from the way both C and I were raised to how we value family. It's hard to explain, but it's just such a great feeling to know that our families have now met and everyone gets along.


Mishi and I played the slots at the Rio before going to our dinner reservation.


Jeanie bought us stickers with our names on them! So awesome!


We ate dinner at the Hofbrauhaus, which was amazingly good! It was loud, but died down as the night wore on.


Mishi and I really bonded! She is C's best friend so it was really important to me that we have the chance to get to know each other. I was honestly most nervous about meeting her (even more than his parents) but we really hit it off! Sooooo happy to know her!


On Sunday morning, the cousins flew home and our parents got together one last time. Later that night, we had to take my Mom to the airport, and C and I had to get ready to drive back to Los Angeles bright and early Monday morning.

It really was a great vacation, but I'm happy to be back in my own home!



I'm going to tally up the entries to the Sweet Tea Junkie giveaway tonight, and post the winners tomorrow morning!

since i've been gone...

i have:

• 13 messages on my voice mail at work
• 27 unanswered work e-mails
• 972 unread blog posts in my google reader (man, you guys were busy!)
• had less than 20 hours of sleep in the last 4 days

needless to say, i am extremely tired, but very happy to have had such a wonderful vacation. i have less than 3 hours until the end of the work day, and i plan on heading home to unpack, check my mail, see what i have recorded on tv, and head to bed early. i will be back soon with a vacation recap and to announce the winner of the sweet tea junkie giveaway.

here is one picture to tide you over, because i'm sure you are all on the edge of your seats wondering how the meeting of the families was...to say it went well would be an understatement!

atop the rio at the voodoo rooftop lounge

weekend recap

hi friends!

i finally have a second to sit down and blog about my weekend! we are in las vegas and hanging out with my parents. i think we are about to go to lunch and probably hit another casino!

here are some pictures from the past few days...

i take advantage of any chance to stop at chick-fil-a

the view from our room in carlsbad...if you look closely,
you can see the rides at legoland

we attended carnevale de lost abbey on saturday night
(thank you tim for helping me with my mask)

snow-topped mountains on the way to las vegas

i won $30 on Lobster Mania!
which i promptly lost at the next machine :)

oh, and just a reminder to enter my sweet tea junkie giveaway. there are only about 10 comments so far, and there will be 3 winners, so your chances are looking pretty good if you enter now!