Thursday, April 25, 2013

Wrapping up the 25 before 25

Well folks. I'm 25. I've been around for a whole quarter of a century. Thank you again for all your texts, tweets and comments yesterday. I definitely feel loved. 

Now it's time to wrap up my 25 before 25 project. I have to say, even though I didn't quite meet every single goal, I feel really good about what I did do. I'm not sure if I'm going to do a 26 before 26 or maybe a 101 in 1001? either way I am going to focus on a DC bucket list (coming soon) since I'm leaving soon.

1. find a job that makes me happy 
Well, this one I'm counting as a yes. I have found a new job in law school, and while I'm not quite there yet, I'm beyond excited about getting started in August. 

2. clear out my closets 

I would have liked to do a little bit better here, but you know what, I did a lot. Plus with a cross country move coming up, I'm sure I'll be doing quite a bit more. 

3. learn how to sew 

Absolutely yes. I had no idea how to sew a year ago, and I just made myself a maxi skirt sans pattern. 

4. read 25 books {17 of 25}
Nope. I definitely didn't make this one. Reading definitely needs to be more of a priority in my life, but you know what? I don't know that I would have even read 17 books for fun if I didn't have this goal. So I'm happy with what I did accomplish. 


5. take time for projects 
I feel good about this one too. I made some place mats  a lamp, decorated my room, a few things on the sewing machine. Win. 

6. work to make new friends
When I wrote this I really meant in real life friends, but that quickly evolved into blog friends. I have really developed some (hopefully) life long friendships through this blog, and I feel like I know so many of you people. 

7. show up for the ones I have

I would say I achieved this goal too. I have tried to fight my homebody tendencies, and go out even if the weather wasn't perfect or I was just feeling lazy. 

8. do a spending freeze for a month {February-March 2013}
This one was pretty tough but I did it, and I'm so glad that I did. I would suggest this to everyone, because it really helps you see just where the heck your money goes.

9. practice meditation/yoga
From April until about August of 2012 I was a yoga addict. Since I started studying for the LSAT, not so much. But yoga has a special place in my heart, and I think it will be a really helpful tool for my sanity once I start school in the fall.

10. do something unexpected 
I NEVER in a million years expected to go work on a campaign, let alone the Presidential Campaign. Moving to Ohio 5 days after the LSAT was one of the craziest/best decisions I've ever made, and I'm thrilled that I did it. 

11. go to new york
Okay, this one is a 100% fail. I didn't go. This summer. Lets make it happen people.

12. fill my walls with art that i love
I'd love to add some more, but yes.

13. save money {I had a goal. Hit it in March!}
I have a new goal, and it's going to be tight but fingers crossed I make it.

14. focus on fitness
I wish I would have done better, but yes.

15. get enough sleep
This year has definitely been a roller coaster in the sleeping department. I've never experienced the kind of sleeping problems I did, as when I took the LSAT. But I've gotten it back under control and am hoping to keep it up as I transition to life as a student once again.

16. take the LSAT 
Not only did I take it, but I'm thrilled with my dominating skills.

17. host a themed dinner party
I had a cinco de mayo party last may, so I'm counting that.

18. volunteer {did lots of political volunteer work}
 I did a ton of political volunteer work. Not exactly what I meant when I wrote out this goal, but again I'm counting it.

19. treat myself, because I'm worth it 
I decided to splurge and got a massage the week before the LSAT. It definitely helped my sanity. So glad I did it.

20. upgrade the camera
A very last minute yes. My parents are amazing and gave me a completely amazing/extremely intimidating Rebel T3i yesterday!

21. make / do 25 things found on pinterest and blog about it. {12 + 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9101112,1314151617181920, 21} Obviously I came pretty close, and if I include the avocado egg thing floating around pinterest, that I made for dinner on Tuesday I'm at 22. So probably... I ended up there. I'm counting this as a win. 

22. practice making fun cocktails 
This was one of my favorite parts of the year. Read about some of the adventures here

23. do a 5k
Nope. But Kat and I went on a 6K walk around NOLA when I was there. So that counts, right?

24. take a cooking class
Nope.

25. Blog every day for a month 
 See December 2012

26. commit to continuing these goals once 25 comes and goes


Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Guess What?


It's My Birthday! 

via
Yep. I'm officially a quarter of a century. Hard to believe. 

Here's hoping that today is a little better than last year

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Cocktail Hour: Birthday Cake Martini

Before we get to the main event, I wanted to let y'all know I'm filling in for Christa over at Significance or Nothing today. As a fellow Southern gal trying to make her way through the political craziness that is Capital Hill I kind of love her.  Come visit me!


Now, we all know I love cocktail hour, so when I saw Nicole's is hosting a week long linkup aptly named Cocktail Week (it's a #hashtag so start using it like crazy, go) I knew I'd use it as an excuse to have some playtime at the bar. The one in my house that is.

Probably Polka Dots Cocktail Week



Someone around these parts has a birthday coming up (like tomorrow, eek!) So I wanted to treat myself to something sinfully delicious that I'd normally never touch. My personal drinking rule is I don't drink cocktails if I can't sorta see through it (with a few notable exceptions i.e. red wine and frozen margaritas) Generally all those milky syrupy sinfully sweet cocktails just leave me with a killer headache the next day.

But one every now and again is okay, right? And let me tell you, this is just about the best possible exception to the rule 

Birthday Cake Martini

via

Ingredients
  • 1 oz Amaretto
  • 1.5 oz Pinnacle Whipped Cream Vodka
  • .5 oz Godiva White Chocolate Liqour
  • 1 oz Heavy Cream
  • Sprinkles
  • Frosting
Directions
First rim your fanciest martini glass in frosting. Then dip that deliciousness in a plate full of sprinkles to make the cutest glass you've ever seen. Next up combine all the remaining ingredients. Shake to combine and carefully pour into your fancy glass. 

Seriously, I'm re-evaluating my life for not drinking with this whipped cream vodka sooner. It is SO good. Go get you some right now. Vodka Diet Cokes will never be the same. 

Please go link up your favorite Cocktail with Nicole on Probably Polka Dots. She's one of my blog bff's and just generally awesome so you need to stalk her like I do. 

Monday, April 22, 2013

A Little White Dress

After living in the South for 25 years I can tell you, we have some strange traditions. One that I've never really understood is the unwritten rule that girls wear white dresses to graduation. I suppose it's somewhere along the lines of a cotillion or coming out of sorts... so it kind of makes sense, right?

Well I have quite a few friends graduating school in a few short weeks, so if any of you out there are on the hunt for the perfect little white dress I've pulled a few gorgeous options for you! 



This dress is "currently unavailable" on ModCloth, but I love it so much I had to share anyways. Any southern girl who loves pearls is probably gasping somewhere at the perfection that is this dress. I need to come up with an excuse to wear this. Anyone getting married this year? Please wear this to a rehearsal dinner for me? k. Thanks. 

White Spot Jacquard Dress, Dorothy Perkins


I love the subtle polka dot of this dress, and I think this cut is flattering for just about everyone. Graduations are definitely a time to be on the more conservative side, so I love the high neckline, but the fit and flare keeps it current and attractive.  Plus it's on sale. You've got to love that. 





This dress is super classic, but the subtle wave pattern adds a bit of visual interest. I personally can't pull of shift dresses, but I love how effortless they look. Add some pearls, and you're the picture of southern perfection.

Brocade Peplum Dress, Ark and Co, Piperlime

I love peplum and this dress is just so perfect it really doesn't require much at all. 



Personally, this is the route I would go. The embellished silver studs across the top provide the perfect visual interest, making it not your average white dress. To me it feels slightly edgy, but it sparkles too so what more could you ask for? 


So, are you graduating this year? If so, what are you wearing? 

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