My Spring Break

Hey there,

Finally, my big post! Like you guys know I didn't have the "spring break" trip this year that most kids have. I decided to just come back home and soak up all that at-home goodness. I am sure glad I did too, I wouldn't have traded this week for anything. Living in D.C. is absolutely awesome. It's the perfectly sized city, but so many people who live here overlook all the great stuff there is to do...and that is a huge shame. I took it upon myself this spring break to explore all the goodness that this charming city has to offer. It was a lot of walking, but it's safe to say I definitely conquered the city (again) and I loved every minute of it.

Kyle and I went to all the museums downtown. A lot of locals don't really go downtown to the museums, because they like to believe that it's "tourist infested" down there. By the way, if you want to visit D.C. don't be discouraged by grumpy anti-tourism folks, there is enough room in this paradise of a city for all of us! We went to the usual museums including one of Kyle's favorites (The Natural History Museum) and then my favorite (The Hirshhorn Gallery). Both were amazing. The Hirshhorn had this great exhibit about sensory art which was so cool. Imagine neon lights and mirrors...on steroids. It was so cool. I can't even describe it, it truly is something you have to "sense" for yourself. The exhibit was called "Suprasensorial" and will be running until May 13. I highly highly highly recommend you check it out if at all possible, or at least look at the website I pasted below to get a better idea for it!!

Here's the link to the exhibit info: http://hirshhorn.si.edu/exhibitions/view.asp?key=19&subkey=510

We went to a key landmark in D.C. also, called Ben's Chili Bowl. Best hot dogs you'll ever eat, and that is a guarantee my friend. Best chili dogs too, and best chili fries for that matter. This place isn't for the dieters and those with the weak stomachs. My advice if you make it here? Go big or go home. Neat fact about the place? Bill Cosby & President Obama are huge fans, so much so that they eat free for life there. Kyle had never been before so he was very excited about it, and he didn't leave a bite in the basket.

Kyle's dad got us and our two friends from high school (Charles & Jeff) box seats to a Washington Wizards game. It was a lot of fun, and so cool to catch up with Charles. He's down at school in South Carolina and I miss him a lot. He was always a good bud in high school. Luckily Kyle, Jeff, and I all go to school together still so there's not a lot of "missing" between us. The game was pretty fun but I think the majority of it we spent just hanging out instead of watching the game. Maybe it's our fault the Wizards lost in the last two seconds.

And there was a proposal on the jumbo-tron at the game...so cute! They both looked so nervous when the camera was on them - the girl had no idea what was going on which made it both funny and cute too. Glad I had my camera on hand for it too, too bad I can't send it to them! Oh well, I'm sure the Verizon Center will give them a whole video of it.

It was also Kyle's birthday! Very exciting. The day ended up being a little tumultuous to say the least, but at the end of the day everyone was happy and Kyle had a great birthday. His mom cooked us all a really good dinner, and his grandparents were there too. They're the best. I always miss my grandparents though when I see his - times like these I wish I lived closer to my nana. I ended up getting him a plethora of gifts, mostly clothes from Vineyard Vines but I threw in some cheeseball stuff too like a personalized "Kyle" puzzle I found at the Christmas Tree Shop and his favorite chicken seasoning that only my mom and I know where to find. I also made him my first ever (and not last!) candy card - those things are a lot more work than you would imagine. Eeek! I also found adorable little candles to spell out Kyle - they were sparkly and I'm pretty sure I liked them more than he did. Guess it's a girl thing.

We also had a little belated birthday dinner for Kyle at my house, just my parents and the two of us. My mom cooked and it was delicious as usual. I swear I've never seen that boys face turn so red as when we sung him happy birthday. He's so funny, he hates to be the center of attention in little groups like that. He was a good sport though and the cake we picked out was so good. High five to Whole Foods bakery section.

We went to Old Town one day which is over in Alexandria. It ended up being rainy, and half the fun of Old Town is walking around the old cobblestone streets and heading down to the waterfront. That turned into just a drive around Old Town, but it was still fun. The houses there are stunning. They have such old architecture and are just so classic looking. A lot of them were built in the 1800's and have kept their original design which makes them amazing. Again - no pictures really do the place justice (at all...Google images is failing me right now)...guess it's another place you should check out sometime! Fun fact - the high school in Old Town is T.C. Williams...the one "Remember the Titans" was based on!

Kyle took me to the driving range one day, which ended up being practice for when we went with our friend Jeff to a real big-boy golf course. Needless to say, I'm awful at golf. I usually pick up sports fairly quickly and am decent at most, but golf is another story. Between dinky little hits (swings?) and scratching the clubs on the ground, I came to terms with the fact that I am not a natural nor will I ever be with golfing. Kyle and Jeff had a lot of fun playing - they aren't exactly Tiger Woods themselves but it's all for fun yes? I was caddy for the day (aka driving the golf cart and washing the balls) as I froze my butt off. It was a fun day though! More so fun for me because I got to get dressed up in golf attire, which translates to Nantucket Red's for me.

My mom took me on a shopping spree (yessss) and I definitely lucked out. I scored some great new stuff that I can't wait to wear. I got a Michael Kors bag that is the newest addition to my closet! It's black, classic, and I can't wait to use it. Here's another shirt I got too, which I also can't wait to wear in the sun with a nice pair of white skinnies. I love shopping trips with my mom, she really knows how to spoil me and I swear I don't deserve how well she treats me. I must say I had more fun hanging with her than I did actually shopping. Sometimes you just need some mommy time.

My parents and I also went to early voting over break. We're a pretty big politico family and take this stuff seriously! My dad is the big politics man in the family and makes sure that we're all informed and ready to go. It was kind of nice getting my first "I voted" sticker, especially since I was with my parents for it. This will be a memory I definitely won't forget. By the way, how high tech are voting stations now? Jeeze, I remember going to vote with my parents when I was little and watching them use pencils. Times are a-changing!

My last day was bittersweet of course. Actually, more bitter than sweet. I didn't want to go back to school at all, but I guess education was calling and it was time for break to be over. I spent my last day going to church with my parents and then just packing up my bags to head back on up to school. Breaks are too short, but thankfully I had a very happy, fun, and relaxing spring break which just means that summer break will be packing extra heat this year!!!

Speaking of summer, my internship is officially confirmed (twice confirmed actually now...I'm too persistent) and I'll be working at a local law firm. A divorce firm - and I couldn't be happier. Hopefully I learn a lot (and get a new working girl wardrobe) and play the Elle Woods part to the best of my ability. Except I'll be legally brunette.

Hope you guys all had an awesome week too, and hope this week holds some good weather in store for all of us!

XOXO, Rosie

Let's Play Catch Up

Hey everybody!

Sorry I've been MIA for the past what, week? I'm swamped with work right now and midterms so I'm trying by best to balance everything out. I've been taking my study breaks to check out all your guys lovely blogs to see what's new with you, but unfortunately I haven't had the energy to post my own happenings. So for me today this means I'm going to double post, just to get back in the swing of things in case I decide to go awol again for the books the rest of the week.

After my Valentines day post I had a few messages (or questions) on what I do to workout, so I figured now that were in the 70 degree weather now would be a fun time to address those questions. Disclaimer: I have no business in telling people what to do and what not to do in terms of exercise - I'm not an expert but I do know what works for me, so for all of you that asked here are your answers.

1. For me, I have to want to work out. Usually I do, but somedays I just don't. People will disagree, but with me I found that the days I'm adamant about being a lazy bum I should just stay a bum. There's a reason my body doesn't want to work out, so I don't make it. Again, so many people will tell you otherwise but I've realized I have a better chance of having a "love" relationship with working out if I do it on my OWN terms. If you force yourself to do it when you don't want to then you'll just develop ill feelings towards getting active. Then you're really screwed.

2. You have to find the workout that you personally love, the one that works for you. This goes hand in hand with finding the diet that works for you as well. As much as it would be great if we could just follow the Victorias Secret angels diet plans, it just won't work out in the long run. Sure, we can try - but I think it's best to experiment with a few different diet plans and then combine bits and pieces to make your own. Personalize it, it's the best way for you to get the body you want. Also with working out - don't just follow one strict workout routine. For some this works, if they respond best to discipline. However, I've found with me that I can discipline myself to do a workout I love and then that gets me the best results. I like to run outside when it's warm, and I like to do treadmill sprints. I like to do kickboxing and I love to jumprope. I like playing sports too. If I incorporate these altogether into one big workout plan for me, I don't get bored and I actually enjoy myself.

3. Find your celebrity inspiration! Sure, don't copy every aspect of their diet - remember they get paid to look that good. But when you work out and get tired, if you think of your goal celebrity body then it can really push you to squeeze 10 more minutes of hard work in. Only do this though if you won't be disappointed if you don't turn out like them - I used to have the VS Angels bodies in mind as inspiration...but that just made me upset. I'm 5'2....I had to get real. Now, my inspiration for the moment is Kristin Chenoweth. I found her on GCB and if you watch one episode, you'll want that body she sports. Toned and fit. She's fabulous.

4. Pinterest, pinterest, pinterest! The fitness section of the site is 99.9% guaranteed to jumpstart a good workout for you. If you're lacking some "get up and go" spirit, check out their fitness section and all the pictures will definitely spark a mini fire in you.

5. I love working out alone, but when I do workout with a buddy it has to be one I've "pre-approved." For me it's hard to find someone I want to work out with, so if I'm going to workout with them I need them to be someone I have fun with, am competitive with, and can get a good sweat in with. For me, my best workout buddy is Kyle. We're very competitive, but we also have fun working out together. We vary up what we do as well too, which helps. He's my best workout buddy. Plus, bonding time...yay for that! Just make it someone who will A) have fun with you while working out B) challenge you to do better and C) make you complete the workout feeling good and exhausted.

So I hope for those of you who asked me about fitness got your answers here. Those are just 5 cardinal rules that work personally for me. Everyone is different and I encourage you guys all to find your workout niche. If you have any more questions feel free to message me again!

XOXO, Rosie

Someone Special

I am the biggest believer in having someone special in your life. I don't think that there's a better feeling in the world than loving someone with all you have, and being loved in return. It's fun, it's rare, it's beautiful, and it's everything in between. People come and go, but when you find someone that really makes everything bad somehow seem good...you should hold onto them. My boyfriends name is Kyle and he is my absolute best friend in the whole world. He's just like me, which is why we get along so well. Everything's better when he's around. He's like sunshine on a cloudy day to me, and I'm thankful every single day that I have him in my life. He's sweet, handsome, funny, easy-going, and impossible not to love. He has every good thing I've ever wanted in somebody and I'm very lucky that I found such a good guy. I'll probably refer to him a lot in future postings, so I just wanted to give you an idea of who we are together. We're a fun couple - we love cooking together, we love bumming around and watching t.v. for hours together, we love working out together, we love going places together, we love having fun, and we love exploring new things. I'm 5'2 and he's 6'2, and that leaves a whole foot of fun between us! He's my best friend in the whole world, and when anything funny, bad, sad, exciting...or anything else happens, he is the first person I want to tell. He can be my goofball, my sweetie, my anything really. He's my junk food buddy and my t.v. buddy and I remind myself every single day that I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have such a great guy. Wherever I go in life, I want him by my side in the future! And I think there's definitely a bond between high-school sweethearts that can keep you together. And so far, we're proof of it! Anything is possible if you love with all you have, trust, and have a good time!!

XO, Rosie

Weekend Recap

Hello lovelies! I hope you had a good weekend and an especially relaxing Sunday. I love Sundays, don't you? They are so peaceful and just pure bliss to me, and I know other people out there feel the same way!

My weekend was actually pretty perfect. Friday night was date night with my boyfriend, Kyle. We drove to Wilmington and had a little date at Joe's Crab Shack. Our waitress must have thought we were crazy, because we managed to devour two appetizers, our entrees, and then a big s'mores dessert. It was delicious though! Then we watched 50/50, such a sad movie but definitely had some funny stuff in there.

Saturday night was girls night, haven't had one of those for awhile! So glad I got to hang out with all my girlfriends here, we all need to remember how essential it is to have some girls nights every once in awhile! We took some pretty cute pictures too. Also, a good friend of mine from home came up to visit which was so much fun because I never really get to see her that often. So nice when you get a chance to catch up with old pals, isn't it?

I've got a long week ahead of me with a lot of work to do, as I'm sure everybody else does. Have a good week, I'll post soon!

XO, Rosie