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

Friday Friday!

Helloooo friends!

Praise the LORD I never thought this day would come. Finally, I'm on spring break!!! I can't wait to get home and just relax. Sweet, sweet spring break. I will be just fine soaking up the D.C. sun. People underestimate it, but I have gotten some of my best tans laying out in the hammock in my backyard.

Today couldn't be a more perfect day either. I showed up to class (unlike the rest of my classmates) and got two extra bonus points on my midterm for going...and the professor cancelled class! Good start to the day. It's also about 80 degrees so I'm sitting outside in my *navy blue and orange* sundress just soaking up some last minute rays before I head home.

One thing I particularly love about my school is the trees that blossom in the springtime. So many people just walk by them but they are so damn pretty I can't stand it. They are cherry blossom-esque and look amazing. It's too bad so many people just walk by them everyday and don't take the time to appreciate them. I don't think you're really living life unless you take the time to soak up your surroundings.

Another thing I love about the spring is fro-yo. True, I love it all year round - but eating it in the spring time makes it that much better. Something about how cold it is mixed with how warm the weather is just makes me feel great. It also reminds me of high school - my best friend Francesca and I used to go get frozen yogurt and then go back after school to watch the boys baseball games. It was our little thing, and I miss it! I need to do a post on Francesca (remind me!). I also think it's so funny the different flavor combinations people can come up...still searching for my topping and flavor soulmate.

Kyle and I saw 21 Jump Street yesterday. It was honestly the funniest movie I've seen in awhile and it had me laughing the whole time. Not only was it funny but it kind of taught you a lesson - no matter who you were and who you were friends with in high school, none of that matters when you grow up. Anyone can be friends with anyone, and you can find yourself being close with people you never would have imagined. Happened to me this year! I always thought I'd be friends with a lot of athletes, but recently I've found friends from all different backgrounds and interests and I love them all! Always keep an open door to new friends.

{Side note, everyone should see the movie it is too funny...Kyle and I even saw a 75 year old couple laughing in the movie too - it's fun for everybody}

Before I go home for break, it's nice to just look at my campus. We never really see it for how beautiful it is because we're always too busy cursing it for making us work our little butts off. It's nice to just take a step back and remind yourself how lucky you are because of where you are.

Last but not least...the weather I'll be going home to today is...

Perfection, perfection, perfection!

Days like today with a cool breeze and a warm sun make me realize how lucky I am to be where I am, have who I have, and be who I am. And ALL of you should feel the same way too.

Happy Friday and have a beautiful, warm, perfect weekend.

XOXO, Rosie

Tuesday

Hey guys! I don't know about you, but like always I am so ready for this week to be over. Probably because my spring break starts on Friday! I'm not going anywhere this year, just home to be with my family. Too bad, I really could use some sun and fun but I also miss my family terribly and would love nothing more than to spend a week home with them. Today is a two part post because I don't think I'll be back on tomorrow (last week of school, lots of midterms...you know the drill).

1. First off, St. Patty's day was a huge success. I made Kyle a big, green breakfast to get his day started off on a good note. I made the lucky charm cupcakes I posted on my St. Patty's inspiration post, but stupidly forgot to take a picture! Anyways - those were a big success. I made some for my best girlfriends, and I made some for Kyle's roommates. They were all gone in a flash, so next year people...make them for your friends!! Best way to show you care for someone is to cook them something delicious, in my opinion at least.

Kyles green pancake Patty's day breakfast

2. My favorite pair of Ugg moccasins finally ripped, sad day for me. I think it was their way of telling me that spring was here and I needed to resort to a cuter, more spring time look. So, in honor of those little moccasins I got another pair. They are the prettiest shade of blue and make my day by just slipping them on. I can't find an exact link for them, but I did find these two pictures and I'd say they are a cross between these shoes (but cuter!).

3. Something I need in my closet is... the Lily Pulitzer Maybell dress! The minute I saw it I coveted it. I love this dress, maybe for the color and maybe for the beadwork - but something about it just screams my name. Sad that it costs an upward of $250 but still...it seems like the classic dress that could never go out of style, right? Keeping my fingers crossed that this little number will be in my closet sooner rather than later.

4. Since I said I was doing spring break home, here's a little collage of my favorite things to do back in D.C. The pictures are a little bit hard to see (time crunch, wah) but if you want any specifics just shoot me a message! Obviously this is a non-exhaustive list, it's just the places I'm looking forward to going back to the most when I get home. I did leave some favorites out though, you'll have to venture down to the cap to find them yourself ;)

Washington Monument - Yes it's very touristy, but I love nothing more than driving down there at night and laying on the lawn in front of it and just staring up at it in all it's glory. Plus the fountains by the monument are even prettier at night when they are lit up.

Georgetown Cupcake - Again, very touristy...but sometimes a girl just needs a little red velvet. This was actually a picture of their old store front before they moved. So many cupcake places are around the city now though that I find equally to be as good - especially the non-chain ones.

National Zoo - Again, very very touristy...but I don't care. Ask any of my friends, I'm an avid zoo lover and zoo goer. I love nothing more than going to see the orangutans. My favorite is Lucy. She's the oldest one there but has the biggest personality. She'll make faces with you and is just hilarious to spend an afternoon looking at.

Bens Chili Bowl - Kind of touristy. It's a main staple to DC life but it is so delicious regardless. The best is their classic Cosby half smoke. Kyle has never been there, so I'm taking him for spring break. Their cheese fries too are out of this world. This is a place to go to splurge on whatever diet you're on. Trust me, you'll want to.

Georgetown - What's not to love about Georgetown? There's something for everybody. Great shopping, fantastic food, gorgeous architecture - everything you could want for a sunny afternoon. Taking a walk through Georgetown is one of my favorite things to do, you always find something new.

Dupont Circle - Despite what rumors and labels this place has about it, it still is a great place to just hang out for the afternoon. They have great little stores and restaurants, and a fabulous circle with a huge fountain. I love it here, and wish I could spend more time here also. Definitely check out the neighborhood if you're ever in the city.

Washington Nationals! - Games haven't started yet, sad! But summer time is all about the Nationals game. They have the best atmosphere, and I'm so happy DC finally got their baseball team back. The area around the stadium is really developing too, so I think you'll start to see more places pop up around there. My perfect summer day is a hot sun, jean shorts, a five guys burger, and a Nats game with a big honkin scoop of gelato.

Sweet Green - Please tell me you guys have tried this? Sadly we don't have one by school for me, but Sweet Green is my ultimate favorite salad. They have the best best best and freshest salads you could ask for in my opinion. And they have fro yo too! I'm salivating just thinking about their chicken caesar salad. I get mine with grapes and apples in it - you can add in your own toppings to the salad. Plus it's super fast.

Surfside - Last but certainly not least is Surfside, one of my favorite restaurants in DC. It's like a baja restaurant, with lots of burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and more. It's a very laid back place and I love the atmosphere in it. It reminds me of a beach restaurant that you go into after a long hot day outside. All their menu items have original names such as Acapulco, Belize, Cozumel...you get the picture! My favorite is the Cuba tacos. It's pork carnitas with the best pineapple salsa you'll ever taste. It's the perfect combination of salty and sweet. I cannot wait to go here right when I get home.

So that's a little about me and my hometown favorites. Everyone has their own but that's just a glimpse into what I love about where I'm from.

XOXO, Rosie