Friday Five!

{freshly picked daffodil surprise from the fiance}

This past week has been full of ups and downs. My thoughts and prayers go out to all in Boston. Why do these types of things happen?! I’ll never understand it… As if we don’t have enough to worry about in the world, it makes me sick that we have selfish hate crime to worry about as well. Tragedies like that always put things in perspective and remind you of what’s truly important in life. I’m so thankful for my life and the people that I’m fortunate enough to share it with.

On a happier, surreal, note, Max and I “passed” marriage counseling (not surreal that we passed, but surreal that we went through MARRIAGE counseling period… I’m going to be a wife!) and made an appointment to meet with a Realtor to discuss what we’re looking for in a home. I’ve never felt like more of an adult in my entire life!

This weekend I’m heading to Kalamazoo. Quality fam-dam time is on the agenda, and hopefully catching up with a couple of my beautiful bridesmaids J

Friday Forte: Ho Hey– The Lumineers (performing at Lolla 2K13!!!!)

{delicious Grapefruit IPA from Perrin}

{new sunnies! hopefully the torrential down-poors and hail will stop before Fall is back!!}

{getting closer and closer to these bad boys being sent out}

{leather + lace - best spring wardrobe combo!}

Impromptu Bar Crawl

A couple of weeks ago, with no other plans, Max and I decided to have a two person bar crawl downtown Grand Rapids. I don’t know if we intended to have this happen upon leaving the house, but regardless, it was an amazing way to spend a windy, dreary Saturday afternoon/early evening. My goal of visiting every downtown bar with Max is becoming more and more of a reality. It’s looking like Grand Rapids will be our home for a WHILE so I want to make sure I know the town inside and out. This city has so much to offer and I’m LOVING the exploring part of it. Especially since Max is getting more comfortable with venturing downtown (THANK GOD!).

The day started out in Eastown here, ending downtown here, stopping by here, here, and here in between (yes, we got a cab home!!).

{completely local truffle fries w. peppercorn honey mustard!}

{best edamame and martini's in town}

{I don't know why I like skulls so much...}

{ending the night on a sweet note ;)}

Engagement Diaries

{in LOVE with these champagne flutes... a little pricey}

Ok, so not everything I blog about is going to be surrounded around the wedding, but since it’s such a big part of my life I can’t skirt around the subject entirely J Being engaged is a blast and I want to share the little tid-bits of this part of my life that make me happy. With that being said, I have started a new Label called “Engagement Diaries”. Here is the first installment!

This past weekend, Max and I started the registry process! I must admit it was a TON of fun! I was a little worried it would be overwhelming, which it kind of was, but in a fun way. Max had a free-for-all in the kitchen department. We still have to to back and remove a few items that are probably a bit ridiculous (cough**$450 luggage piece**cough).

As mentioned in my Friday Five, we later hit up Perrin, a brewery we've heard rave reviews about but had yet to venture out and visit. Let's just say it was well worth the travel time and we're already planning our next visit!

{had to start off the day with treats}

{max thinks it's hideous, I kinda love... but most definitely don't need}

{genius!}

{who would buy this?!?}

{PERRIN!}

{ohh the Grapefruit IPA... heaven}

{he is my favorite bar companion!}

Monday Motivators!

Friday night at the French Quarter Fest and logging nearly 12 miles of running amounted to a FANTASTIC weekend...and I have a feeling it's gonna be a great week, too...lots of little motivators keeping me going this Monday.
  

Saw this on a friend's Facebook wall.  It totally describes my relationship with my two best (girl)friends: Cole & Meggie...both of whom I'll see in just a bit over a month!

Walked into a freshly organized office this morning. For the next month I'll be organizing even more, taking all that I've learned this year and applying it to my preparation for next year. 

BURNING CDs to listen to in my car on the way to work 

(I drive a 2002 car that has no iPod capabilities...).  Crafting the perfect playlist used to be a much-loved hobby.

After having this aloe plant for 6 years, it's finally flowering! 

It looks as though it will be a bright orange. 

Gave myself a home keratin treatment, which should eliminate frizz and tight curls...just in time for the humid NOLA spring!

Home in New Orleans

 Last week was the final presentation of a program put on for our middle school students.

Our assistant principal was awarded a $25,000 grant for an arts program to be put on in our school including poetry, dance, paining and photography.

All elements were to reflect the rich cultural layers of our city.

The program was named Home in New Orleans.

We were so proud of the students' hard work for the past 6 months, the artwork and the performances were truly inspiring...but the best part was the pride in their eyes.

The event took place in the McKenna Museum of African American Art in the CBD (Central Business District) of New Orleans.
                    

The museum is a converted old Southern mansion. 

I love this one. Courtyard in the French Quarter.

               
                            These are the kids who took the pictures.

On that boy's hand is "I love NOLA" written in pen.

Paintings looked perfect displayed on the brick walls.

Once their poems were blown up to poster size, 

they added personal touches.

Children's paintings displayed just like in a professional gallery.

Photo of a door in the French Quarter with the trademark tile address numbers. I'll take one, please!

One student hand-wrote her poem. 

This was one of my favorites. The black you see in front is part of a classic wrought iron fence enclosing a NOLA estate.  

It reminds me of the view from which I admire these homes every day.  My neighborhood is full of them.

I'm going to see if I can purchase a few of the kids' photographs (including the courtyard & door pics), to start a fundraiser for next year's program.

Friday Five!

{tickets purchased for Detroit in November!!}

So, I've determined that on the weekend, sans plans, I am a totally different person than that of my go-go-go attitude self during the week. I'm tired, lazy and USELESS. This past weekend was no exception. Since I had no solid plans to speak of, I had all of these grandiose ideas to clean, relax and catch up on wedding stuff. Well, the relaxing part is the only "task" that won out and resulted in me being a complete waste of space. In any event, these past five days were spent doing all of the tasks that were meant for last weekend. Oh well. It happens.... I'll try to not repeat this in the future (often...).

This weekend we are registering! We’ve never done this before, so it’s a little overwhelming… luckily there is a checklist to use as a starting point. Thank god! Or we would be lost...  Anywho, I know it will be a blast once we get started and I’m so looking forward to this experience together. He'll take care of the kitchen, and I'll take care of... well everything else. Afterwards, we're celebrating with a visit here to catch up with some of our people (let the Grand Rapids Brewery tour continue). 

Friday Forte: Ner - Fredrik (Stella's spooky ambiance)

{iced coffee in my most favorite new mug... obsessed - check out sister and bro-in-law at the top}

{jeans day Friday supporting Relay for Life}

{Funky Buddha words of wisdom}

{donut love to make this Friday even more indulgent}