Election Fever

So it seems the WHOLE world has gone crazy with election fever, everywhere you turn--CNN, Facebook, Today Show, and Jimmy John's.  Wait did I just say Jimmy John's?  YUP, I did.  My best friend, Allison was in town this week and since we have a tradition to get Jimmy John's anytime she is in town, we headed over for a quick lunch.  Not only did she treat me for my birthday (YAY!) But she also convinced the cashier to give me 6 free punches on my Jimmy John's card (I only need 4 more til a free sub) and we scored these sweet VOTE FOR JIMMY buttons!  What is not to love?  All in all, it just about made my Thursday the best Thursday!  I only wish my precious Allison lived closer, but what can you do?  Just be thankful she does live near Hilton Head so when I visit I can also go to the beach!  I see a Road Trip in my future :)

Sorry this is quick, but I really mustache...

My bestie, Anna, has her birthday coming up in a few weeks and she loves MUSTACHES!  Like not just on items but in real life, on guys!  I know I know, to each their own (love you Anna!).  But since we are doing a mustache themed party, I have been becoming a little OCD on pinterest with some mustache action. Here are a few sneak peaks at some projects...

Lots - O - mustaches!

Pick your 'Stache!

Well Hellllllo there!

Dad's Birthday!

Last night we celebrated my dad's birthday at my house.  I grilled steaks and had corn on the cob, baked potatoes, and salads.  And for dessert, Dad's favorite....BANANA PUDDING!

It seems I remembered everything except the picture taking....I remembered after all the dinner and presents were done and got a shot in as he was blowing out the candles on his puddin'

Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

Weekend Review

Well it is rare that I have a fun weekend and feel rested, but that is exactly what happened when the four of us got together this weekend.  We maxxed out daytime fun and we were all in bed by 11pm.  It is always great when I see my hokie ladies, and this was no exception.  We all got in town by 7pm on Friday night and went to dinner at this yummy restaurant called Sweatwater Tavern, where they had these AMAZING rolls....

Delicious Roll

Friday night we went back to Erica's where they had a birthday celebration for me:

Matching PJs with my Birthday celebration subway art!

Homemade cake!

Then we all just hung out and caught up a bit in our PJs, really what is more relaxing than that?

Sara also thought it would be fun to try on my bra:

It just about fits!

 Then it was off to bed for a full day of Saturday shopping!

This store was filled with beads, it was fabulous and all the girls were patient so I could look!

There was lots of hat trying on...

More hats...

and more Hat pictures! 

At some point the shopping and weekend had to end.  But we had a great time and now need to get on planning our next weekend together!  

 Needless to say this one was happy when I got home:

Brutus

The wait is almost over!

So, it has been months in planning, weeks of waiting, and days of impatience for this week to finally end so I can spend a fabulous weekend with these ladies:

I can barely contain my excitement as I type this!  With the four of us spread up and down the East Coast is not often we get together, but when we do, it is always a fun time!

So the countdown is on...34 hours to go!

Birthday Flowers

I know I know what people think...why buy flowers, they just die?   Well I am here to tell you that flowers, in their short life, can provide a world of happiness.  Every time I get a whiff of them, I just instantly smile and the colors are so vibrant and fun...what is not to love?  So when I got a birthday surprise yesterday from my friend, Emily, I was exciting to have something new adoring my desk for the next week or so!

And it just keeps going and going and going...

So here is what's up?  Hands down, I have the BEST friends in the whole wide world!  After work yesterday, I met up with two of them for dinner at one of my favorite Richmond restaurants: Cafe Caturra, where I was showered with more fabulous gifts and surprises!  

A card so sweet, you could eat it!

Hokie Buddies

Then it was onto small group where I was lucky enough to have not one, but two YUMMY birthday desserts for me:

YUMMM!  Jessica got me a cookie cake, my fav!

Charlotte made these for me--so cute!

RAINBOW SPRINKLES!!!!

They sang happy birthday, not once but twice!

I AM SO FREAKIN' LUCKY TO HAVE AWESOME FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!

P.S. In other not as fun news, but exciting for me, is that my stitches came out last night.  My dear friend Aubrey, who is a P.A. said she would remove them at Bible study, so I finally was able to sleep on my left side again last night :)  It's the simple things, y'all!

Birthdays Galore

So I know most people hate the end of August; it signals the end of summer, the start of school, and the beginning of fall/winter (AKA cold weather).  But I have always been Pro-August and that might just be because my birthday is August 21st!  In true Laura fashion, I try to spread out the birthday festivities and celebration as long as humanly possible (yes I realize I am turning 29 and not 12, but love it or leave me).  So we started with the Legwarmers birthday fun evening with 10 of my closest friends (okay maybe not really all of them) on August 10th and will conclude with a visit from my sister and nephew sometime next week (August 27th).  So I will have made it a 17 day celebration....I'd say that is pretty good!

Well surprise surprise, it can't be about me ALL the time (can it?), so this weekend, my friend CJ and I also go to celebration our friend, Elizabeth's birthday.  We cooked in and got her these yummy mini cupcakes to celebrate her big day!

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

The candles spell out her name!

Then on Sunday, Emily, Anna, CJ and myself went out to celebrate Emily's and my August birthdays at everyone's favorite restaurant, CiCi's Pizza!

CJ and Anna

Me and Emily: Birthday Girls!

YUP that just happened!

Then since it was a rainy Sunday, I came home and watched some TV and enjoyed a couple of LAZY hours before my birthday dinner with the family at Brio!

Mom and Dad

Andy and Me

All in all, a great weekend, too bad I had to go back to work today!  But I get a fun weekend to look forward to!  YAY for Birthday Fun!

Crazy Friday Nights!

So my friend Anna and I had big plans to go dancing last night, but as the weeks wear on and work and life get busy by last night we were both only so happy to have an early dance party in her living room (sorry no pictures there) and go to bed early.  But not before we visited our favorite area ice cream place...SWEET FROG!!!!!!  YUMMY...I like these Friday night plans :)

Anna with our EMPTY cups!

Nothing like a night in....

So just about every night this week, I have made no direct plans and had the idea I would be staying in for the night and every night this week, I have NOT stayed in!  Which if you know me, you know I am totally okay with that!  Last night, I had tried a new pinterest recipe--Crockpot chicken tacos!  It was delightful and I highly suggest trying the recipe--so easy and so flavorful!  What an easy dinner!  So normally when I cook, I am home, but last night my friend CJ and I decided to go for drinks!  A nice end to a long-ish week!  So my night in, turned into drinks on the Patio at Bailey's and it was fabulous!  Who knows what this weekend will hold???

Vodka Tonic!

Cranberry Vodka!

Also you should totally check out my earrings (Hokie Pride) cause my super awesome friend Kristi MADE them for me!  I really am one lucky girl :)

Simple Life, Simple Pleasures

So if you know me at all, you know I love to get (and give) little gifts!  It is one of my love languages, so sue me!  Well on Sunday, my adorable mother got me this:

Hokie Bird Loofah!

How adorable is that?  She said it was the start to my birthday celebration!  Well I could not resist sharing it!

In other news, I also got a shellac manicure done with my friend, Emily, on Sunday--it was a fantastic end to a fantastic weekend and now my nails will look pretty for the next 2+ weeks :)

And I do think I forgot to mention about my awesome shirt that Kristi and CJ made for me for my birthday celebration to see the Legwarmers:

It is pink, glittery, and says Birthday Girl!

Feel free to be jealous, I know I am blessed beyond measure :)

LEGWARMERS!

Sorry was I screaming that title?  I am still recovering the hearing in my ears after Friday night's concert.  It was AWESOME (there I go again with the screaming).  Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I will limit my words and share many many pictures with you all!  Enjoy :)

Group Shot on our way into the National!

Kristi and Lila!

CJ and Kristi--they made me shirts for my birthday celebration!

Ohhhh HEYYYYY girl!

Ombre pink to purple glitter eyes!

CJ face!

Prom Pose

Booty Pose

Love these girls (nice photo bomb Aubrey!)

Brittney's 80s outfit!

Sexy 80s!

Sweating to the 80s

MULLETS GALORE!!!!

 

CJ gets scared when I hug her!

THE BAND!

Rockin it!

BEFORE!

Silly Before!

After the concert pose---we all look a little more tired!

The aftermath of glow sticks!!!