Weekend Recap! (aka longest post EVER)

This was a crraazzyyy weekend here in BP land. On Thursday I hit up the Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll for the first time with two friends y'all just might know. We started with drinks at 75 Chestnut. It was my first time there and I was a little less than impressed. The hostess is a legit battle axe and the place was so packed that we kept getting bumped and knocked. I ordered a dirty martini and the girls both went with pomegranate martinis. They were NOT stingy with the gin! Mine was so strong that I had to dilute with ice and then only drank about 1/4th. Whewww. After we finished we headed out to the stroll... It was FREEZING and the stores were packed. While they were offering free wine to some people, we didn't get offered any! Also, some of the employees of these upscale boutiques are downright surly! All and all it was an experience that I was glad to have had. I doubt I'll be participating next year but it was fun to meet up and spend time with two of my fav ladies!

On Friday morning I picked up my International Arbitration take home exam and found out that PB was coming! He is in Austin this week for work and he decided to divert through Boston. I tried to get the majority of my exam done Friday so I could spend time with him without having to work so much, but that didn't work out so well. That exam was NO joke. I got 2 questions of the 4 roughly answered before I picked up PB at the airport. He of course was bearing biscuits from Fortum & Masons, a box of Godiva chocolates and a bag of Cadbury Caramel Chocolates. Um. Does he know I'm on Weight Watchers!?!? Technically the biscuits were for my madre, but somehow they managed to get opened and taste tested (DELISH!). 

On Saturday we got up early and went to the law school to drop off my bag and get set up for me to work on my exam. PB had some work to do since he left early on Friday to come to Boston. We then went to Weight Watchers. I was nervous because I've been so hungry this week and have been eating a lot, but I lost 3 lbs! We then stocked up on delicious treats from Starbucks and headed back to the law school. After spending the day working and discussing honeymoon locations. (I think we've decided on one! I might unveil in this week's 'Wedding Wednesday' if PB books and gives me the go-ahead.) We had dinner reservations at our favorite restaurant in Beacon Hill- TOSCANO!- at 9:30PM. We changed and headed over to Clink to get some cocktails. We had never been there and wanted to try it out. We were less than impressed and confused by the entire place. The cocktails were good but we couldn't figure out where to sit and then when we finally found a spot they put a "Spoken For" sign on our table... Which we took to mean we should leave. Also the abundance of scantily clad women of varying ages, while entertaining, is not really our scene. Might have been fun with a big group, but we'll pass when it is just the two of us. We then walked around Charles Street and stopped in for a glass of wine at the Beacon Hill Bistro. The wine we had was AMAZING. I could have had an entire bottle. After we finished our wine it was FINALLY time for dinner. They had my favorite starter and entree on the menu so I was in heaven. If you go and they have the Rossini, which is the house specialty, you MUST get. It is divine.

Sunday we had breakfast at The Paramount, which y'all know is another one of my favs. I got my standard: Spinach, tomato and feta egg white omelet, turkey sausage and fruit salad. I literally ate like a lumberjack. I honestly wonder if I have developed a hollow leg or if I have a tapeworm. I keep eating like a horse and I have no idea where it is going! PB got an omelet too and shared the fruit salad with me. After that we took a rainy stroll through the public garden to digest and then caught the 10:45AM showing of Harry Potter. I loveloveloveloveloved it. I can't rave enough about Harry Potter. And yes. I cried when Dobby died... Just as I did in the book. After the movie we walked back down Charles Street. We popped in Core du Vie to look at a Lululemon hoodie I've been eyeing. PB treated me to a new Lululemon gym bag! I really needed one and he was being sweet to this poor broke law student. I was hungry again (surprise, surprise) so we popped into Todd English's restaurant Figs for lunch. 

Figs was pretty good. They gave us a basket of focaccia and olive oil to start. I'm not going to lie. I was fighting PB for the last piece in the basket. My WW leader would be shamed. It was LITERALLY the best focaccia I've ever had. After some menu issues we decided on a pizza- Half fig & prosciutto and half roasted chicken. I LOVED the pizza. It was thin and HUGE. I literally had pizza for lunch and dinner and then had some at 6AM this morning while I was finishing up my exam. I'm pizza'd out. After that PB had to get his stuff together and head to the airport. Poor fella's plane was delayed and he missed his connection in Houston. After a very short stay in the Marriott he was on route to Austin this morning.

I spent the evening finishing my exam and turned it in this morning. It was a lot harder than I expected and I'm unsure if I will do very well. Now, I'm going to run some errands, have lunch with THIS pretty lady and then finish up my Tax outline. I'm also going to my new favorite workout class tonight- ZUMBA! Have y'all tried Zumba? I absolutely loveeeee it. I need to work off all the delicious food I ate this weekend.

How was your weekend? 

Was it as chaotic and FUN as mine?

North Carolina, here I come!

So on Tuesday afternoon I'll be jetting down to NC for Thanksgiving. There is about 4098409283 reasons I'm excited to be going but 4 reasons really stick out.

1. To see my Nannie... hands down my favorite person in the entire world and I do NOT see her nearly enough. So DUH. #1 reason why I'm excited. 

2. (and herein lies my dirty little secret) To eat. Ok... so we all know I'm a member of Weight Watchers (80 pounds gone, as of this weekend! Holla!!) and so we know I'm like an obsessive freak about watching what I eat. Now. This is all true... UNTIL I CROSS THE MASON DIXON LINE. 

I literally measure my trips to NC in meals (what? Like you never do this. Haters.)and there are certain stops that are absolutely non-negotiable. I mean... I realize I'm going for Thanksgiving... but there are 4 days worth of other meals that I need to account for!

*BOJANGLES*

If you have never been to one... well I'm terribly sorry for you. Best chicken and biscuits in the south. (And lest we forget the amazing Cajun fries and sweet tea). And Bo-berry biscuits? I D.I.E.

*HAM'S* 

This is one I only get when I'm in Chapel Hill because there is not one on my side of NC. Let me just say... The homemade chips with ranch dressing is good enough to slap your mama.

*MAKOTOS*

Two words: 

Shrimp.

Sauce.

This is literally my favorite Japanese restaurant in the world. I don't think people know what shrimp sauce is above the Mason Dixon line... and therein lies the problem. 

I order shrimp sauce with a side of shrimp sauce. 

Sonic used to make the list but now it is relatively close... so they've been nixed. So you better believe that I have my meals already planned out for the entire week I'm there. 

Hey... a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. 

3.) Bridal Shower! My mom's best friend (my 2nd mother) and my two aunts are throwing me a bridal shower next Saturday. It's mostly for my family and local friends, but I sure am really excited about it! I can't wait to see everybody and visit for a while. My college bff & bridesmaid in NC has her engagement party that same day, so she won't be there! I'm bummed but we've planned to get together on Friday in Charlotte. 

4.) Hair test run! Since this might be the ONLY time I'm in NC before my wedding I've booked an appointment at Modern Salon in Charlotte for a hair and makeup test run on Friday. I originally had thought I wanted my hair half-up/half-down but found a gorgeous updo that I might be picking instead. While I'm doing that college bff will be getting a mani/pedi. It should be lots of fun and I really am excited!! My poor hair has been neglected lately. I've been rocking a headband with low bun for about 2 weeks solid. Clearly I need to get it together! (aka I need a new flat iron and/or someone else's hair.)

5.) Bloggy bff meet up! While I'm in Charlotte I'll be meeting up with one of my favorite ladies- BLC from The Company She Keeps. I literally am so excited that I might embarrass myself! We're still working out the details but between seeing her and my college bff, it should be a PERFECT day!

What are y'all doing for Thanksgiving?

*images from Google*

Mushrooms? Truffle oil? Lasagna?

Cooking Light sent me an early Christmas present... In the form of this recipe. 

Mushrooms & truffle oil... Be still my heart.

It's being made on Monday night for dinner. Please standby for a review complete with drooling pictures... Ok. So by Monday night I mean TOMORROW night. I don't know that I can wait.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 1 piece)

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon  olive oil
• 2  cups  thinly sliced leek
• 8  garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 3/8  teaspoon  salt, divided
• 7  cups  sliced cremini mushrooms (about 1 1/2 pounds), divided
• 4  cups  sliced shiitake mushroom caps (about 1 pound)
• 2/3  cup  Côtes du Rhône or other fruity red wine
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh thyme
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh oregano
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh sage
• 3  tablespoons  white truffle oil
• 1  teaspoon  black pepper, divided
• 2 1/2  cups  1% low-fat milk
• 1  bay leaf
• 2  tablespoons  butter
• 3 1/2  tablespoons  all-purpose flour
• 1/8  teaspoon  ground nutmeg
• 2  cups  fat-free ricotta cheese
• 1/4  cup  chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1  tablespoon  grated lemon rind
• Cooking spray
• 8  ounces  precooked lasagna noodles
• 1  cup  (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1  cup  (4 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Preparation

1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add leek, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; sauté 2 minutes. Add 4 cups cremini mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms; sauté 10 minutes or until mushrooms release moisture and begin to brown. Stir in wine; cook 3 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in thyme, oregano, sage, truffle oil, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

2. Combine milk and bay leaf in a heavy saucepan; cook over medium-high heat to 180° or until tiny bubbles form around edge (do not boil). Remove from heat; cover and let stand 10 minutes. Strain mixture through a sieve into a bowl; discard bay leaf. Set aside.

3. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add remaining 3 cups cremini mushrooms; sauté 4 minutes or until tender. Add flour, stirring with a whisk until blended. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 8 minutes or until thick. Stir in remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and nutmeg.

4. Preheat oven to 350°.

5. Combine ricotta, parsley, lemon rind, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a bowl. Spread 1/2 cup milk mixture in bottom of an 11 x 7-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 3 noodles over sauce; top with 2 cups mushroom mixture. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan. Arrange 3 noodles over cheese. Top with 1 cup ricotta mixture. Repeat layers once with 3 noodles, 2 cups mushroom mixture, 1/4 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, 3 noodles, and 1 cup ricotta (dish will be very full); spread remaining sauce over top. Cover with foil; place baking dish on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Remove from oven; increase oven temperature to 450°. Uncover the lasagna, and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan; bake an additional 10 minutes or until golden brown.

My weekend in Numbers...

10: Number of hours I worked on Saturday... (and also the number of hours I worked on Sunday. I work haaarrdddd for the monnneeyyy... Soooo hard for the money.)

9: Number of pictures of Barack Obama I saw approximately 2 minutes after walking into Austin Hall at  Harvard Law School.

8: Number of times I wanted to scream during the MPRE exam on Saturday. (Multiply by 65.)

7: Number of times I changed the answer on question #32.

6: Number of pages I got done in my Tax outline (Who says I'm not productive...)

5: Number of minutes I spent googling "tummy tucks" for future planning purposes.

4: Number of bagels I contemplated eating on Sunday morning.

3: Number of Vineyard Vines items added to my Christmas List.

2: Number of times I rolled my eyes at obtuse law students.

1: Number of bagels I *actually* ate on Sunday morning.

Tuesday Ramblings...

I can't believe it is Tuesday already! PB and I made a snap decision on Friday to book me on a flight for this weekend to ENGLAND! I am SO excited. I'm flying out Friday morning and I'll be coming back on Wednesday. The flight was the cheapest we've seen all year so we decide just to do it. After this there will be no trips for either of us until Christmas. I tell you what though... I always thought leaving was hard, even the first time he went back to England after we met, but it is plum painful these days. I think it'll be the hardest after our honeymoon when I have to fly back to Boston and PB stays in England. Just thinking about it makes me misty!

In one week and 3 days Mama and I will be jetting down to Charlotte for the wedding tasting!! I'm SO excited. I know I have said it about 30942304928 times but I am more excited about the tasting than I have been about any other aspect of the wedding planning! We also might meet with my florist if we have time to discuss the flowers. I want simple but classic and nothing huge and ostentatious on each of the tables and in the bouquets. I haven't had a chance to see the venue yet so I'm really pumped to see it! I hope it's as pretty in person as it looked in pictures.

I also can't believe that it's almost the end of October. I need to start working hard from here through finals. It has SNUCK up on me! I have only barely started my outlines, so I really need to start working HARD! I'm absolutely OCD about getting everything organized (notes, outlines, study guides) and it's giving me slight anxiety. I feel some late nights in the library might be in order next week. I can't believe that in 7 months I'll have my J.D. and be almost a real life lawyer! (Not to mention a MARRIED one!)

This post has no real purpose... I was just updating my calendar and my to-do list and couldn't think of anything better to blog about. Now, I'm going to go study for the MPRE and watch a little Parenthood at 10!

What are y'all doing the rest of the week??

Monday ramblings...

So it's Monday. I swear... on Friday I blinked annnnndddddd then here we are. I was going to do my standard "Weekend in Numbers" but I really didn't do much of anything fun to warrant numbers.

 On Saturday we hit up WW in the morning. I'm going to keep weighing in at the official meetings until my monthly pass runs out for the month. I was down 3lbs. My new "plan" seems to be working!  Then we did a little shopping in Reading and I had a diet cheat day... which involved a McMuffin, a Coronation Chicken sandwich for lunch, and Froot Loops for dinner.

Speaking of Froot Loops... We walked into House of Fraser on Saturday morning and it was like the skies opened and the heavens started singing to me. It was a WHOLE stand of American goodies! Froot Loops, Quaker Instant Oatmeal, PUMPKIN PIE SPICE, creamed corn, Snyder's Pretzel Pieces, REESE'S PIECES(!!!), Karo syrup... LITERALLY was throwing one of everything into our basket. 

Until I glanced at the price of the Froot Loops.

Um.

I need you to sit down.

It was...

Don't judge me...

 £7.50.

Yes. That IS, in fact, the equivalent of $10. 

Listen people. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do... 

Anyway. So I got that, Karo syrup (Hi pecan pie for Thanksgiving), pumpkin pie spice and two bags of the snyder pretzels. I'm sure that I emptied our savings account, but I couldn't be stopped. I did, however, decide that the Quakers oatmeal was NOT worth the  £7.50 that it also cost. 

See? I know when to reign it in, people.

We then went on a hunt for fall/halloween decor. Note to fellow Americans moving to/living in England: THEY DO NOT DECORATE FOR HALLOWEEN OR FALL. We've been to every single store that may or may not carry any home decor in the greater southeastern England. Not a fake garland of colored leafs, nor faux acorns to fill an apothecary jar to be found. In fact, the only place I was able to find any decor at all was at John Lewis and Poundland. When Pottery Barn puts the fall/halloween stuff on sale I'm buying it all and having it shipped over. 

What is WRONG with these people!? 

I mean, I shouldn't be surprised. These are the people who don't eat/drink pumpkin flavored anything. 

Crazies, I tell you, crazies. 

On Sunday we went on a long walk in the New Forest and then hit up a local farmer's market where we went a little overboard on the sausage buying. Whoops. We picked up: Pork & Stilton, Pork & Wild Mushrooms and Gluten Free (because that's how I'm gradually rolling these days) Pork & Apple. We tried the pork & stilton last night. DANNNGGG they were good! My plate initially consisted of 4 lbs of broccoli (I exaggerate.) (slightly.) (or maybe not at all.) and one sausage. However... I caved and did eat a 2nd one. I meeeeaaannnn... They were organic. So clearly organic = no calories, RIGHT?

Ok. So anyway. Now that you're all bored to tears... Ima end this rambly mess of a post. Later on this week I'll outline my new eating plan, discuss the Christmas-fication of England in OCTOBER, and share a fun recipe (or 3). Also, we may or may not have a workout-jam sharing seshie. Mama needs more music. (And by Mama, I mean me... not my actual Mama... who I sometimes refer to as Mama.)

HOW WAS YOUR WEEKEND!

(Yes. I'm yelling.)

(Too much coffee.)

Goodbye Weight Watchers...

So on Saturday I weighed in. I'd stayed exactly the same. I'd tracked... I'd measured & weighed... I'd gulped water like it was going out of style. I'd spun (spinned?) (span?) until my butt was bruised and sore... I'd even run. (Have we talked about how I'm the world's worst runner and how every time I do it I literally think in my head "OMGIHATETHISIHATETHISIHATETHISHOWDOESANYONEDOTHISFORMORETHAN10MINUTESWITHOUTDYING?")

And yet?

Nothing.

*SIGH* 

If you follow me on Twitter you've already heard some of my grumbly tweets but here's the deal..

The Saturday before Easter I hit 90lbs lost. Now... Since then I've gained about 6lbs. I've also lost it. And then gained it again. And then lost it. And, yes, you're catching a theme here... lost it again. Studying for the bar exam didn't help things. I took basically a full 2 month hiatus from working out, save for doing the Couch-2-5k program intermittently and doing some weights/ball workouts in my house. I tried to make up for my HUGE decrease in exercise by fanatically controlling my food intake. However, surprise, surprise, I gained 4lbs. No big deal, I thought... I'll lose it in a week after getting back into a groove.

Ok.

So I'm back in a groove. (SORT OF.) I'm going to the gym 3-4 times a week. I'm making food. I'm working which means I'm on my feet for 4-6 hours a day without sitting or eating or stopping to do anything to make myself fatter.

Yet... Nothing. 

So I had a come-to-jesus meeting with myself and my body this week. I need to lose 25 more pounds. While I love everyone that says "You'll be emaciated!" "You look perfect, no need to lose anymore!" "Gosh, you've already lost so much, you can't POSSIBLY need to lose any more!"

It A) isn't true and B) isn't helpful. 

According to my BMI I am still categorized as "obsese." Yes... I know the BMI system is silly and flawed, but still... I'm proving a point. I still can't wear jeans most jeans that are a size 12... While my top is slimly (or so I think) ensconced in a size 10 in most tops now... My bottom can't seem to part ways with a 14. Now... I'm not complaining.
Did I, when pouring myself into a generous size 22 jeans (and laying down to zip them)  contemplate that I would even get an ankle into a size 12, much less an entire thigh?
NEVER. 

But now it is in reach. I've accepted the fact that I will never be lean and thin and wear tiny jeans. I've accepted the fact that I have junk in the trunk and always will... I will always be referred to as "curvy"... I will always have unfortunate legs, chubby knees & cankles. It is what it is. I just want a slightly smaller... 25 lbs exactly... version of them.

I've taken the week to try out slimfast shakes and to devise a strategy to shock my system back into losing. While I *LOVE* Weight Watchers... I'm thinking that my time as a loyal follower might have come to an end. The flexibility is great and it REALLY has taught me how to eat in moderation and healthily. I've perfected the art of maintaining. I know how to balance my good & my bad. What I need now is structure. I need a "diet." I've already made the lifestyle change and it worked... but to hit my goal I need to start really working.

So... Goodbye for now Weight Watchers... 

It's not you. 

It's me.

I'm almost done creating my "plan" and I'll definitely share that with y'all next week when I start it. It's going to be tough... I'm going to have to get back into the habit of going to the gym 5 days a week... if not 6. I'm going to have to completely cut out some foods that I love, but I think this might work. 

My goal was 25 lbs by Christmas. Now that we've had a bumpy 2 months it's looking more like March. Either way... come hell or high water, I WILL lose it before our first anniversary. After all... I've already said no babies until I meet my goal. Let's just say, we're getting motivated around these here parts! I just wanted to share with you all my struggles because I know I can't be the only one out there having plateau problems.

Tell me- Have you ever hit a HUGE plateau that you haven't been able to break? If so, tell me what worked for you or what helped you hit your goal! 

Sharing is caring, kittens.

Weekend in Numbers...

10: Number of times I circled Whistle in Guildford begging PB to buy me every single thing in the store... 

(NOTE- I walked away with NOTHING.) 

(Cold hearted man.) 

(This might be grounds for couch sleeping.)

9: Approximate number of pounds of cheese PB had on Sunday. 

(Glutton.)

8: Number of diets I researched and dithered over on Saturday. 

(I broke up with WW this weekend.) 

(It was amicable.) 

(We're still friends.) 

7: Number of times I cursed my underwear on Sunday... 

(Wedgie central, people.)

(Underwear has since been eradicated.) 

6: Number of Bojangles-recipe biscuits I made... 

(NOT as good as the real thing.) 

(BUT Close enough for government work.) 

(What does that phrase even mean?)

5: Number of times I had to rescue 2 little furry hunters from the Serengeti 

(aka kitten from the garden.) 

(They are having nothing to do with that green scary stuff otherwise known as grass.)

4: Number of times I cursed our stupid oven. Multiply by 495. 

(It's the size of a small shoe-box.) 

(HATRED.) 

3: Number of glasses of wine imbibed by yours truly Saturday night. 

(SOMEONE can't handle her wine anymore.) 

(*ahem*)

2: Number of hours I giggled hysterically for no apparent reason after imbibing said wine... 

(Am I the only one who can't control her laughter after a tipple?) 

(Isn't tipple the weirdest word ever?) 

1: Number of PERFECT breakfasts we partook (word?) in at Carluccio's. 

(Best.) (Chain.) (Restaurant.) (EVER.)

Wait, It's Friday?

Y'all. 

WHERE HAS THIS WEEK GONE!?

Now that I'm a working woman (sort of) the week entirely got away from me! I'm still adjusting to the 4:45AM wake ups for the 'Bux, but I'm enjoying it so far! It's fun. Easy. Pays. Good enough for now.
My apologies for the lack of blogging this week.

My days have consisted of the following:
(and yes, usually in this order)

I'm tuckered OUT. I have the day off today and I need to clean, clean, clean, do laundry, go to the post office, make pizza dough for tomorrow night, bake a lil' treat for the poor hubs who doesn't get back until super late tonight and generally get myself "sorted" as the British say.

While this is a completely useless post, can we just briefly get all materialistic and discuss these pants?

I'm dying for them. 

THE RUCHING!

You know... because my life now consists of me wearing Lululemon approximately 85% of the time. If someone *AHEM* loved me they might show up at my door... (Even if it is $30 in shipping.)

(Minor detail.)

So anyway. 

I'm donning white cafe capri's and heading out for my errands. Yes. WHITE. Take THAT fashion rules... All I know is, it's hot as all get out and I refuse to conform to my prior old southern fashion rules now that I'm all European. (ish.)

Tell me fun things, people.

PS- Are any of you Londoners going to American Girl in Chelsea's Pink Diamonds & Pink Champagne event on October 20th to support Breast Cancer? I AM! Let me know if you're planning on going as well.

*images via*

Weekend in NUMBERS!

Sorry this is a day late... SOMEONE (me) started a new JOB (Starbuck's) yesterday! It's perfect because it's only 20 hours a week and is mostly 5:30AM-9:30AM which allows for PLENTY of "real-job" hunting. And gets me out of the house. (Which is good... lest I turn into a crazy cat lady.)

10: Number of hours spent doing laundry (DEAR LORD THE WASHER/DRYER IS SLOW!)

9: Miles biked on Saturday! (Gel pad is a butt-savior.) (Would have been a lot more but we had to contend with rain and a sick child.)

8: Number of times on Saturday night I said I fancied Gary Barlow while watching the X-Factor. (Hooootttt.) (I stopped before #9 in fear of having to sleep on the couch.)

7: Number of times the white fuzz ball attacked my hair thinking it was a toy. (It. is.  in fact, NOT.)

6: Number of pounds of sprinkles my step-daughter put on our cupcakes friday night... OVERZEALOUS SPRINKLER!

5: Number of times I almost wet my pants watching Mock the Week Friday night... Hugh Dennis = HILARIOUS.

4: Number of minutes PB lasted ironing before throwing in the towel... literally.

3: Number of trashy British rag-mags read this weekend... (And yes, I didn't know half of the people/stories in it.) (And yes. I STILL loved it!)

2: Number of krispy kreme donuts SHARED this weekend... (I blame Tesco.) (At least I shared.) (sorta.)

(1.5: Number of pounds GAINED at WW this week. WHY, BODY? WHY?! Oh right, candy corn. And pizza. Oh, and breadsticks. Right.)

1: WEEK UNTIL GREECE WITH BLC!!!!

Tag- I'm IT!

One of my absolute favorite bloggers, MCW, tagged me for a fun little game of tag. Since I adore her (and am putting off my drafting exercise for Int'l Arbitration) I decided to give it a go.

The rules: MCW gave me 8 questions to answer. I answer them, come up with 8 more, and tag other bloggers to answer MY 8 questions (etc. etc. etc.)

MCW's questions:

1. What were you like in high school?

Hmm. This is a good question! I guess I was a lot like I am now, but a lot less mature. I was a combination of geeky & popular. Geeky because I was in band (marching & concert band... Was section leader and Pres of my Music Dept my senior year. Yes. That's how I roll.) but popular because despite that I had a lot of friends. I wasn't super cool, but I tried to be nice to people and therefore people were nice to me too!

2. If you could bring one clothing style back what would it be?

I would bring back the entire 1950's clothing era. I love the style of clothes, I love the way women looked in the clothes, I love that women had curvy bodies and the clothes reflected it. I also just love the formality of yonder years when women mainly stuck to dresses, cardigans, skirts, and pedal pushers and men to suits and nice sweaters and slacks. PB bought me two dresses this summer and both are 1950's-esq. They are so pretty and flattering... I have NO idea why this style went out but I'm going to single-handedly bring it back if it kills me!

3. Do you have a green thumb?

Yes and No. Generally, yes. I love to grow flowers and have been successful at my mother's abode but for some dang reason I can't seem to keep anything alive in my apartment. I think it is because my apartment is fairly humid and perhaps is a little too warm to grow indoor stuff? No idea. It is so weird!

4. What is one thing you would love to do if you came to NYC?

Well I do come to NYC about 2/3 times a year... BUT one thing I love to do and rarely get a chance to is to go to the Central Park Zoo. It's SO fun and I've only been once. I'd also love to rent bikes and just bike around Central Park and see it all! (And eat lots and lots and lots and lots and LOTS of city-water hot dogs.)

5. One is one thing we would do if I came to visit you?

Just ONE?! We would definitely have to do a Duck Boat Tour. I've been on two and I think they are fantastic for non-native Bostonians. They are fun, interactive and you learn a lot about Boston and the history. You also get to see almost every part of the city!

6. If you HAD to decided between having a beautiful face or an amazing body which would you choose, and why?

Face! 100%. Why? Because I can lose weight and craft an amazing body, but an ugly face is forever. (I mean unless you're willing to do some hardcore plastic surgery... which I most certainly would, but I like my face.) Also I feel like a beautiful face can totally negate a not so hot body but I don't feel like a hot body can negate a heinous face.

7. Are you more like your mom or your dad?

My mom.

8. Is there something about yourself that you hide from people when you first meet them?

I tried to hide my sarcasm and my weird way of speaking. I have the WORST habit of using ghetto-fab slang constantly. I was so proud of myself this summer because I managed to contain it 99% of the time... Except when I taught my barrister what the expression "Flip her shit" means. As in "The judge was so mad I thought she was going to flip her shit at you too!" That conversation was absolutely hilarious!

My 8 questions:

1. If you had a theme song that played whenever you walked into a room, what would it be?

2. George or Brad, and why?

3. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

4. What is the strangest question you've ever been asked?

5. Where is your favorite place to sit in a movie theater?

6. On a plane- Are you a chatter or do you do everything humanely possible not to have to interact with anyone?

7. If you could bring back one TV show from your childhood, what show would it be?

8. What is the first thing you think people notice about you?

Tagged bloggers: Anyone who is READING THIS! I've gotten into a blog rut and I just keep reading the same blogs over and over. If you are reading this please do it and then leave me a comment so I can find your blog! (Also, if you have any suggestions for fun new blogs, let me know!)

Go ahead. You know you want to play...

DO IT!

Friday Five: Workout Music Favorites!

I don't know about y'all but I can NOT stand a serious workout without some pumpin tunes. Right now there are about 5 jams that I keep on constant repeat at the gym these days... and by constant repeat I mean I have them on a LOOP and I listen to like NOTHING else! Obs you know my girl Beyonce is dominating. As if it would be any other way.

1. Beyonce- Get Me Bodied

2. Beyonce & Alicia Keys- Put it in a Love Song

3. Katy Perry- Last Friday Night (T.G. I. F.)

4. Adam Lambert- Fever (BEST. SONG. EVER.)

5. Ke$ha- We R Who We R

So, what songs have you busting a move on the treadmill at the gym?

(Side note: Am I the only one who dances around the house to Beyonce c-o-n-s-t-a-n-t-l-y and pretends I'm in a music video? Yes? Bueller?)

Back in Bostonia...

I arrived in at around 9:30PM last night.

Flight was SIMPLY AMAZING. I have to say... British Airways has spoiled me now... I'll never be able to go back to Economy! Let me just give you a little run down of Club World, for those of us not wealthy enough to be able to fly it all the time.

So.

First.

I got to go through the fast track security section which literally was a breeze because there was no one in front of me at all. Walked up. Put bag/laptop/liquids on the belt, walk through and I was done. SO fast!

Then I went to the BA Club Lounge... While I fly BA a lot (I mean, alotalot) I still haven't managed to get enough frequent flyer miles to be a silver card member, which is what you need to be to get access to the Club Lounge. However, thanks to my spiffy upgrade I got FULL access! It was seriously neat. Huge comfy chairs, food, food and more food, free wine, cocktails, champagne, tea, coffee, espresso, free magazines and newspapers, free internet. It was like airport heaven.

I chilled out there for about half an hour. I grabbed some fancy finger sandwiches and some wine. I wasn't hungry, but I mean... If its free! I then noticed my flight had started boarding. I had a mild panic thinking I'd have to wait for like 500 years to board (because I'm one of those OCD people who is like 5 hours early and always the first in line to board.) However, when I moseyed on over, I noticed that there was a "Fast Track" lane which matched the "Fast Track" stamp on my boarding pass. I walked right up and bypassed at least 75 people in line to board.

Thats right.

Baller.

So I boarded and got settled into my little pod. In club you sit facing another passenger and you have a screen that goes up in between you. You also have a lie down bed! That's right.

Lie.

Down.

BED.

I mean... It was LITERALLY airline heaven. I had some champagne and water before take off. After we got into the air I placed my dinner order. You are given a menu and get to pick in Club World. I had a trio of tomatoes with pesto to start and steak diane for my main with a big glass of Pouilly Fume (aka one of my favorite wines). My dessert was some moussey stuff with pomegrante seeds. It was so nice... After that... I laid my seat almost all the way down, put my pillow under my head, started Toy Story (shut up) and snuggled underneath my blanket. I fell asleep for a few hours and then woke up when they put the lights on for our snack. I usually HATE the snack in economy/premium economy. It's almost always a wrap with frozen pasta salad and a mini kit kat. This time it was a ham sandwich and a cucumber and cream cheese w/ chives sandwich. Fresh. Not frozen. Delish.

I was one of the first people off the plane and the customs agent did not even ask me one question. My only pet peeve was that my luggage was on of the last off the plane. Um, it had a "Priority" tag on it for a REASON!

Mama and Humphrey picked me and my 100lbs of luggage up and dropped us off. Those who saw my tweets know my roomie from HELL moved out. It was SO nice walking into an empty, clean apartment. My new roomie is moving in this weekend and I can't wait to meet him!

Anyway... There is a rundown of my amazing flight. I've already been grocery shopping. Now... I just need to finish up some summer internship things, prep for our club fair tomorrow and order my books! Whew!

I am SO glad to be home!

I know Boston has missed me as much as I have missed it!

Please Standby... Technical difficulties in progess!

I've been trying to give you 'The Eden Project: Part 2' but UNFORTUNATELY PB has the slowest internet on the planet.

Literally.

I spent almost 4 hours trying to upload pics and then the entire blog post, only to have it time out and die every 10 mins without saving anything.

So.

I give up.

I'll be back in Boston Tuesday night and I'll be doing some hardcore blog posts once I'm back in the land of fast wi-fi!

Lady of Leisure

I got back to England last night. Heathrow was poppin' when I got off the plane. In fact, our plane was packed. I thought I was being a genius when I picked my seat because I picked the bulkhead seat by the exit. Not only did I have no one in front of me, I was in the very front of the section so I thought I'd be able to just hop right off the plane! Turns out I picked badly. When I got on the plane all the overhead bins were full, so I had to put things behind me. Which would have been fine... butttt I couldn't reach the bins so I had to lean over people and I got so flustered trying to get back to my carryon when we landed that I left the TWO boxes of Kashi Heart-to-Heart I brought on in one of the bins!

le sigh.

The rest of a trip was a breeze! Since I've gained roughly 8 lbs since graduation (damn bar exam) I decided that I was going to bite the bullet and order a special low calorie meal for the flight. Note to travelers: DO. NOT. EVER. ORDER. THE. LOW. CAL. MEAL. They give you fruit, fruit, with a side of fruit. Which is fine... but almost starved me to DEATH. Suffice to say the first thing I said to Paul when I walked out was "OMGCANWEPLEASEGOEATRIGHTNOWITHINKIAMDYING?!?!" We hit up our favorite Thai place in Windsor on the way home as we normally do when we fly. It was fantastic. Veggie tempura & pad thai... Made up for the approximately 15 calories I inhaled on the plane.

And so begins my life as a lady of leisure...

PB has the next two weeks off for holiday so we'll be doing holiday-esque type things which gives me an excuse NOT to start job hunting yet. I'm going to start looking in September. Until then what shall I be up to?

- finding a gym (PB needs to accept that I'm going to go *LOOK* at the 3 other gyms in town but we all know that the Four Seasons membership is totally going to be the only acceptable option)

- finding animals... Kitten, puppy(ies), baby chickies (yes. I am serious.)

- baking with Martha the Mixer (who now works thanks to a transformer to calm down the energy as to not make her explode)

- RUN (Um, hi? 5k in a month. omg.)

- Cook, cook, cook. (Am losing my 8 lbs that I gained by the end of the month or someone is going to get HURT. I can't be having this. Not one bit.)

- Paint/decorate/curtain-ize our house. (Standby for lots of home decorating posts. Cause I ain't no nothin' about decoratin' no house, neither.)

- Get a UK driver's license. (This shall be fodder for some excellent stories for our children one day!)

- Watch Come Dine With Me at every given opportunity (which literally means all day if I can finagle the remote.)

I'm so excited to be here, but slightly trepidatious (sp?) about my new life (read: my new life with no job, no income, and no friends). It should be FUN!

I'm also hope to be back to regular blogging manana!

So. Tell me. WHAT IS NEW?!

Weekend in Numbers...

10: Number of times we went on the WET log-ride at Paulton's Park...

9: Number of glasses of wine I imbibed...

(Don't judge. I rarely drink... but when I do? I DO.)

8: Number of times I tripped and almost bit it while running around chasing a soccer ball, pretending to be 10 years old again...

(No. This was not booze related... er. Ok, well Saturday might have been slightly booze-induced.)

7: Number of times I told PB that I was certain I'd gained weight while in line to weigh in on Sat...

(Turns out he was right, I had not.)

6: Number of children I took out trying to get a good seat on the spinny swingy thingy at Paulton's Park...

(What? It's fun.)

5: Number of times I reiterated to PB that chicken doesn't count as "meat" while eating a piece of roast chicken...

(For the record. Chicken is a bird. Therefore it is not the same as eating a little piggy or baby cow.)

4: Number of times I got the giggles...

(Multiply by 6.)

(Also, not booze-induced.)

3: Number of ice cream cones I ate...

(Shut. UP.)

2: Number of weeks I lasted as a LEGIT vegetarian...

(well, I'm still a vegetarian after the Sunday roast chicken debacle if you follow my "chicken-is-NOT-really-meat" rule)

1: Number of times I sliced my own hand open with my dang engagement ring...

(PB's fault for spinning me on this dumb playground thingy)

How was your weekend?

Stay tuned for lots of pics and updates this week!

Don't mind me...

I'm just currently dying.

I'm fairly certain my calling in life was to be Beyonce's diva-twin. 

If you're looking for me, I'll be wearing sequins and a 'fro (thank GOD for my curly hair) dancing around my living room in 6-inch heels.

English Lesson of the day: Plaster

American Plaster:



English Plaster:

If you ask where the "band-aid's" are the girl at Boots is likely to be completely stumped.

Trust me.

Wait, is it really Tuesday already?

I apologize for my lack of blogging this week. I've been out.of.control BUSY! 

So I have to confess... Bar Prep REALLY stinks. It's kind of fun for a minute but then it becomes no fun when you realize that you've been doing it for 10 hours straight and aren't done. I'm not allowing my blog to turn into a whiney "I'm-so-pitiful-because-I-am-taking-the-Bar-exam" blog, so enough about that. 

MOVING ON.

This is a super big week... On Friday I fly to Raleigh for my BFF's wedding, in which I am a bridesmaid. We almost had a shoe debacle this weekend. I went into my favorite NRO Outfitters to pick up the required shoe (platinum Jack Rogers high wedges) and don't you know they are sold out of my size? Strike one. SO then we strolled up Charles Street where the folks at Curly Cakes simply twisted my arm and FORCED Madre and I to eat a cupcake (um, Heath Bar Cupcake? AMAZING.) We popped into Moxie and the shopgirl acted like I was speaking a foreign language when I asked for the Jack Rogers high wedge. I literally had to pantomime and speak slowly. Clearly not the brightest bulb in the box. Despite my pantomime and my furtive search of the store, they were also out of my shoe. 

We then went to the Burlington Mall (aka land-o-Paul Blart Mall Cop) where again, I was FORCED to choke down 8 Chick-Fil-A nuggets (It's terrible, always being force fed unhealthy treats) before we ventured into Nordstrom in search of the elusive shoes. Talk about HOT MESS. The shoe department was terrible. Again I tell the girl which shoes I want and she gives me a blank stare. I'm sorry, but how do you work at a relatively upscale department store and NOT KNOW what I mean when I hold up the mid-wedge and say "This, but higher- In the HIGH wedge?" So I think she gets it and then this guy comes up and hands me two boxes and says "Hi! You all needed the flat Jack's in platinum?" 

*This was the point when my sweet, patient demeanor wore off.*

Suffice to say I huffed out of the store before I pitched a full on hissy complete with hurling self onto the ground and screaming. As we wound our way to JCrew Madre found them on Endless.com and we ordered them. Cheaper than NRO & Nordy's and they had free 2-day shipping! Score. So they will be here tomorrow and if not, I'll be going barefoot.

Sunday I spent the day doing the last of my laundry and bar prep. We paused to take the pupster for a walk and then took an ice cream break. I had the "Birthday Cake Remix" with the sinless cake batter ice cream and it was really good! I couldn't really tell a difference between the full-fat ice cream and the sinless. It was tasty. 

Monday Madre and I hit up the outlets for a few items I needed and a PAIR OF WHITE JEANS. My white jeans from last summer are now too big and I was hoping to find an inexpensive pair to replace them. Totally struck out. JCrew "toothpick" white jeans were far too skinny fitting for me. Gap had ONE option and it was not flattering. Banana Republic had one option that was huge in the waist. Old Navy had a decent option but they were out of my size. 

*sigh*

No white jeans for me. 

Speaking of pants... or shorts... Those of you who follow me on twitter already know this, but can you believe that my Vineyard Vines shorts that I bought for my honeymoon and had worn ONCE literally fell apart on me Friday!? I mean, the left leg's hem fell out, the inside button came off and then midway through the day the outer pink button came off! They tweeted me saying they were sorry and were going to fix it buuttttt I've heard nothing since. You best believe I am bringing them into the Vineyard Vines store tomorrow and will be leaving with either a new pair of shorts or a refund. 

We came home and I again, did bar prep and packed. Really living the high life right now, eh?! 

This week brings bar prep by day, lunches with friends, by midday and packing by night. I fly back to Boston from Raleigh on Sunday. Madre is coming down with my bags and then after my 6 hour layover I board my flight to England. I promise that when I get to England I'll be on a more normal blogging schedule. This has just been a cray-cray few weeks!

How are Y'ALL?!?!?! 

I haven't been reading my blogs lately so give me updates!!!

PS- You know that I have like a million pictures I was going to upload, but alas my BB is dead & I still can't find my camera cord. And we know how boring I find blogs without pictures. 

(and if you don't, I'm sure you can surmise)

I am an absolute mess right now. 

Weekend in Numbers...

10: The number of hours I slaved away in the computer lab yesterday...

9: The number of times I sneezed in Starbucks this afternoon (approximately)...

8: The number of cups of tea I've imbibed this weekend... (Intervention potentially in order soon)

7: The number of times I had to use the bathroom after said tea... (Apparently it's a diuretic)

6: The number of times I wanted to die while on the Stairmaster... (Multiply by 100)

5: The number of times a potentially mentally handicapped man told me I had pretty hair while in line at 7-11 to buy an apple and one of the aforementioned teas... (Too bad I'm already taken...)

4: The number of times I hit my leg on the corner of my bed today... Bruise in the process of formation... (Wait... make that 5... dangit)

3: The number of weeks (plus 4 days) until I'm Britain-bound for the summer... (Good lord, hurry up)

2: The number of days of class left until the end of the semester... (Paper-bag hyperventilation commenced)

(1.2: The number of pounds I lost at Weight Watchers this week... (YAY!))

1: The number of seasons of Bones I managed to watch this weekend while finish typing up all of my International Law notes and outline... (What? I got my notes and outline done.)