Friday's Fancies - Girl's Getaway!

Happy Friday!!  I hope you all have had a great week!!  I'm STILL getting over a cold (boo), and I'm planning getting tons of rest tonight, because I've got QUITE a weekend planned!

Two of my best college girlfriends (Elly and Chelly)....

.....are meeting me in Asheville, NC for a girl's getaway!!

(via) 

I am soooo excited -- we always have the BEST time together.  We are planning on having girly brunches, visiting the Biltmore Estate and Winery, exploring the Festival of Flowers, doing some shopping, and a fun dinner out!  Since the weather is supposed to be perfect: 79 and sunny, I put together a little Friday's Fancies outfit that I would love to wear :)

Calypso St Barth long cocktail dress, $259

Sam Edelman wedge sandals, $217

Tory Burch leather tote, £420

Irene Neuwirth diamond earrings, $4,950

H M gold bangle, €15

Madewell straw fedora, $58

Happy WEEKEND!

XOXO

(See more Friday's Fancies over at {av's} blog!)

Goodies Galore

A few new goodies that I have acquired over the past month or so!!  Thought I'd share!!

Some were bought with my own money, some were blog giveaway prizes, and some were gifts :)

I found these gorgeous TB wedges at Nordstrom Rack for a steal!  In love.

(similar) 

I won this adorable dress from Jana's blog giveaway!

The dress is from A Cut Above Boutique

Another blog giveaway win from Erika! -- I was on a roll!

The HANA blowdryer and gift set!  

(P.S. LOVE the hairdryer - it dries my hair in 5 minutes!)

The gift set included a travel set of Bobbi Brown brushes, Paul Mitchell products, a brush, eyelash curler, hair turban, sleep mask, a stuffed monkey (!), and more -- amazinggggg :)

This hand-painted wine glass was a gift from a co-worker -- it makes me so happy...I LOVE it!  

New iPhone case from J.Crew!!

Ruffled Romper from Forever 21
(only $12.50!)

Asos Dress - on sale!  It is so fun and bright - perfect for spring/summer!

Recently picked this up with a Sephora gift card.  

Best. Foundation. Ever.

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

Bride-to-be

Last weekend, my fabulous girlfriends threw an amazing bachelorette party/lingerie shower for our dear friend Meredith!  Mere and Cam are getting married this summer, after we all part ways (sniff sniff), so we had to get this shin-dig in the books before that!  

First up, 

Gummy Jellos - adorable and yummy!  

Can't go wrong with that ;)

Say cheeeeeeeese

Cutest "lingerie" inspired cookies made by Katie B!

Girls filling out their "advice for a happy marriage" cards

Us girls with the BRIDE-to-be!

Shelley, Me, and Caroline

Gorgeous Mere!

Mmmmmm, cookies.

And the whole gang before hitting the town!

It was a blast!  So happy for you Mere and Cam!

ANNNNND, here are a few more of my 1000 gifts that have been added to my growing list :)

5. Presents that took time and thought

6. Sunshine bursting in through open windows

7. Starbucks Iced Chai Tea Lattes

8. Feeling confident in my own skin

9. Singing my favorite hymns in Church

10. Having peace about a big decision that was made

(Sarah's list)

How was your weekend???

XOXO

A Farewell Dinner

Last week, my co-workers threw me an amazing going-away dinner!  It was a wonderful night, and the girls spoiled me with so many thoughtful gifts and cards!  We had a delicious dinner at The Village Grill, and we had the best time reminiscing about the past 2 years at the hospital and about what the future holds for everyone.  I have learned so much in this job, and these girls really have become a family ~ I am so sad to go :(

Presents Galore!

It felt like Christmas in April!  ;)

Mmmm Chicken Quesadilla 

After dinner, a few of us girls were STILL hungry and decided to check out the Crepe place next door.  Oh my good gracious.  Those crepes were AH-mazing.  I got the Cookies and Cream one, Anna got the Strawberries and Cream, and Amber got the Nutella and Banana.  They were so delish, I still daydream about them ;)

And for good measure...a couple accessories from the night:

Arm party ;)

And bright orange nails!

Thank you so much to my co-workers for an wonderful night, and an unforgettable 2 years -- it has been an amazing adventure!

XOXO

(P.S. I've been slacking on my blog posts lately, I've been quite under the weather :(  Hopefully I will nip whatever-this-is in the bud quickly -- it's no fun!  I feel like my head might explode any second!)

Hope everyone is having a happy weekend!

Packing our bags!

While I was down and out from a big surgery in January, I decided to make the most of my time spent moving from the couch to the bed, and back to the couch, by....

PLANNING A TRIP TO EUROPE!

I, of course consulted my wonderful hubby before doing so, and he was 100% on board!  So the booking and planning began :)

John graduates from Duke in May (!!), and he does not begin his job in Princeton until July, so we thought this was the perfect chance to pack our bags and explore Europe.  So many of our friends and family encouraged us to "go now, before it's too late" (i.e. no money, no vacation days, babies and kids).  

It didn't take a whole of of convincing.

We were sold :)

And now, we finally have the whole expedition planned out, and I am so excited to share this exciting news with you all!  This will be a trip of a lifetime and John and I are absolutely overjoyed at this amazing opportunity we have.  Both of our parents have graciously and generously helped with this dream, and it will be a graduation (John), birthday (me), and anniversary (us) gift that we are so incredibly thankful for.

So here's our itinerary! 

We will be gone for 26 days!

 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Any world travelers out there that have been to these places?
Suggestions or recommendations of what to see/do/eat while in these cities?
Also I am looking for good (somewhat chic?) traveling shoes/flats...help!?!

THANK YOU!
XOXO

Thursday happiness and 11 Questions

Happy Thursday!  I hope everyone has had a great week so far.  It sure is perfect weather here in NC -- I am loving it!  Today I plan to read by the pool, get a good run in, go shopping for a lingerie shower this weekend, and then I have my going-away dinner with my co-workers tonight!  So bittersweet :*( 

I'm a little behind on downloading recent pictures, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to participate in a fun post that Hilliary from Brunch and Cupcakes tagged me in!! 

Here are the 11 questions that she posted, and how I answered them!!

1: If you could travel anywhere in the World right this minute where would you go?

Oooooh, after seeing so many glorious, tropical beach vacations that my fellow friends/bloggers have been going on lately, I would definitely have to say Fiji!  Warm sun, toes in the sand, ocean, a good book in one hand and a mojito in another :)  Ahhhhh. Paradise.

2: Essie or OPI?

Eeeek, do I have to choose?  I'm going to have to go with Essie.  Fiji for the fingers (hmmmm Fiji is becoming a trend...) and Ole Caliente for the tootsies.

3: Where is your favorite place to shop?

With our current budget, H&M, J.Crew sales rack, and Target.  With my dream budget, J.Crew normal rack, Tibi, and Tory Burch.

Tibi

Tory Burch



4: What is one thing you are dying to buy this Spring?

I would really love some bright colored jeans, a colorful maxi dress, and a ruffled romper. 

Ok that's 3 things. 

Tbags



Forever 21

5: Lipgloss or Lip stick?

Both.  Right now I am loving MAC Hue with Stila Kitten on top. 

"Hue"

6: Whats one thing you never leave the house with?

iPhone and chapstick

7: Whats your drink of choice?

A Mojito!  Or a frozen lime margarita! Or a Pina Colada...

I looooove summer drinks ;)

My Dad's famous Pina Coladas!

8: What are you most looking forward to this summer?

a BIG trip and a BIG move! 

9: What is your favorite food?

I have so many favorites.  I love breakfast food, like french toast and omelets.  And I love mexican food...bring on the quesadillas, chips & salsa.   Those sound kind of gross right after eachother.  But separately, those are my 2 favorite categories.  And my favorite sweets are Sour Patch Watermelons.  I could eat them everyday.

10: Whats one super power you wish you had?

I wish i could fly.  I literally have a "flying" dream on a weekly basis.  I absolutely love being in airplanes (my dad is a pilot) and I hate sitting in traffic.  So yeah... give me some wings, and I'd be a happy girl :)

11: Whats your dream job?

Honestly, I absolutely LOVE my job (Ultrasound Sonographer), and I think it is the perfect fit for me.  But ever since I was in middle school, I have wanted to be on Broadway - Les Miserables to be exact.  The role of Eponine.  Random, I know.  I also dream of being a wonderful Mommy one day :)

This was SO much fun!  Thanks again, Hilliary, for the tag!!

Happy Thursday, loves!!

 It's almost the weekend!!

XOXO