Uff da, JCP, & a Shake

oof da! (uff da?) Which ever you prefer.

So here's some of many things to catch you up on...

I have never REAAALLLY been a fan of JCPenney's. Don't be insulted if you love it...I just never found anything I was confident and comfortable in there. Until the last...year or so.

Being out of college with a real job, I have had to really watch my budget. Remember me telling you I gained a few pounds from Fall 2011–last summer? Well, I needed cute, affordable clothes...My mom said to check there. I'm not saying this is a "if you gain weight" store. But, it offers many different options, sizes, colors, fits, ect. I have been so impressed with their transformation over the last year or so. I think it all started when Ellen Degeneres appeared in their commercials. (I just LOVE Ellen! <---I have a blog about her to come!) *Check out the commercial I'm talking about below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyFVjmi71lA

Anyways...I get my work out clothes there...which range from $5–$25. I am so impressed with the quality and the price...and great colors to choose from, too!

I also finally found a fedora that actually fit my big head! *HIGH FIVE!*

Not to mention, I loaded up on swim wear for this season...$5 a piece!!!!!! Say what?!

Their dresses are adorable, their "office wear"/"business attire" is very elegant and fun. Who knew you could have both?!

Plus, this weekend, I discovered their new "bedroom" section. They have a section for blues, oranges, yellows, pink, greens, ect. All of these have lamps and room accessories that go with each set...oh baby...it makes me want to buy all of them just to switch the color every month! (Yeah right :( ) I believe I could spend hours in this store...in Ames, Iowa. What if I was in Des Moines JCP?! Or the MOA (do they even have one? I'm not sure if I've fully made it around the mall.)

Anyways...my point. JCP is amazing and their quality over the last year or so has really really improved!

Now, yesterday, I went into my cardio drill class sore as heck from slow pitch softball on Sunday. Don't be fooled...you use muscles you don't think about! When I was finished, I have sort-of gotten to know a couple of the girls in my class. One is my Heat and Kickboxing instructor and the other is going to take over the Power Tone class in a few months...fabulous duo. Anyways, they asked me to head up to Main St. Ames to Power Full Nutrition. What's that you say?

Okay...so you go in. Order one of their many delish ((protein)) shakes (I got White Chocolate PB Cup...ohhhh baby)...these shakes average about 220 cals, is what I'm told, you get an aloe shot (super delish), and a hot or cold tea (many options to choose from)...this helps burn your cals. I was so impressed. The employees had a great energy and were patient with me when I was stuck between three or four flavors. These shakes definitely fill you up. Replacing a meal, basically. SO yummy and worth it.

I have always lacked protein, because I don't seem to find a liking for meats and many dairy products. These people can expect me back very soon. I have attached their FB link below...one of the gals I mentioned above is a co-owner of the new Power Full Nutrition that will be opening in/by campus town (for ISU). Close to my apartment! *HIGH FIVE #2!*

If you live in or visit the area, I urge you to try it. "Like" their Facebook page while you're at it!

https://www.facebook.com/PowerFullNutritionAmes 

Shopping and nutrition were touched on today...design-wise: it's program design time...SO much to do! :) I will, hopefully, have them up soonish!

Have a fabulous Tuesday! The weather has been great the last few days...I urge you to get outside and take advantage of it any way you can. :) (Run, walk, jog, take the dog for a walk, roller blade, bike, garden/plant flowers, drink margs on the patio, play catch...ect. ect.) 

Guilty Ice Cream

SPOILER ALERT: This story might make some of you want to vom...out of annoyance.

So yesterday, there were a few people from the other location (of our office) that were up for the day. Usually, this means a group or whoever wants to can go out to eat with them for lunch. I decided I would go yesterday, I usually don't...for this reason I'm about to tell you!

We, of course, went to Hickory Park. I was well-behaved and ordered a TINY salad (like it took me 3 bites to be done, tiny), some mashed potatoes (no gravy!), and (my fave) pickle slices! I was done with my meal a good ten minutes before everyone else.

Well...I don't usually have a craving for sweets...if anything it's Hershey's Kisses that I do crave. But I wanted ice cream so bad. I figured my meal was under 400 cal., easily. Why not get ice cream. "Cookie Crunch" shake comin' right up!

I don't think I took a breath while eating it. It was SO good...their vanilla ice cream...oohhh baby!

We got back to the office and I just felt terrible! (Mind you, I have been eating pretty well and very proportionately the last few months. <—One of my friends refers to my eating habits as that of a "bird"...haha!) The rest of the afternoon (sort of) drug on...I blame the ice cream. I brought up to someone about how many calories I thought were in the ice cream. We decided to base it off of Dairy Queens blizzard. (We went with a small because I didn't eat all of what I was given...we did add a few calories—rounded up—just to be safe.) A small Oreo blizzard at DQ is 570 calories! I seriously about s!@# myself!

If you know anything about me, I freak out when anything I eat (individually) is over 200–300 calories. Pure guilt overcame me. It annoys me when I do this to myself. You're allowed and supposed to "splurge" every once in a while, right? Sometimes, I feel as though I do this too often. :(

So anyways...I wrote down everything I ate yesterday and averaged the calories. Which, I use Livestrong's "My Plate" to keep track of my daily intake. http://www.livestrong.com/myplate/

It lets you chose what you want to do...lose or gain weight, by how much each week, ect. I'm at an average of 1600 cals, daily. That's too much for me...so I, generally, stick with 1200. As of yesterday at 4:00pm, I was at 1450 calories...seriously...Which meant, to me mentally, that I had to spend a long time at the gym last night if I wanted to have anything for supper. Welp, I did. I was at the gym for 2 hours and 45 minutes. Burning a solid 1,000+ calories. 5–5:30 was a "light" run, 5:30–6:30 was a Group Power class (weight lifting), and 6:30–7:35/45 was (my fave) Kickboxing class.

My point with this... I got on Facebook this morning to see that the gym I go to had done a post about keeping track of what you eat. I've done this since I can remember (more like in college). It talked about how if you don't know where the weight is coming from, logging what you eat may be beneficial...it may not be fun, but it definitely opens your eyes.

In all reality, keeping track of what you eat is a good thing. It can be by the link I posted above, an app, or simply writing it down in a notebook. It doesn't mean you can't eat certain things...but it definitely helps you realize what you're putting into your body. I used to believe in the "you can eat whatever your want if you work out" theory...I totally don't now.

I almost feel bad for letting things like eating ice cream, pizza, or popcorn at the movies bother my conscious. But then again, I've work really hard to get and stay where I'm at and eating such things would be silly. Especially, if I think I'm going to run more races and attempt RAGBRAI this summer...can't be doing that! I'd like to save any excess calories I can have for a glass of wine on the weekend! :) And trust me, I know I'll eat ice cream, pizza, and pop corn again in my life...I'm not saying I'm totally against it. :) I mean, that stuff is delish!

*I hope this post wasn't a downer for you. I just think that exercising and nutrition have become a very important thing in my life. 

**And if you love to eat pizza, ice cream, or pop corn...you go, girl/guy! I envy you!

Cat Model Casting!

I feel like my cat would totally be a good fit for something as such. This makes me want to do more "action photography" with her to see what kind of funny photos I can get out of it.

I came across this today, and totally couldn't stop giggling!

http://www.pleated-jeans.com/2013/04/22/cats-that-look-like-male-models-21-pics/


Oh, P.S.- When I was in 7th grade (I think) I saw "The Princess Bride" for the first time. I LOVED it. And still do to this day. Which is why I love this photo...

Catching Up...Yet Again! And A Program Route

Since I was very brief yesterday, I should probably catch you up on my weekend events.

The bride to be loved her gift! Whew! Another friend and I, also, made her a "Wedding Day Survival Kit" which consisted of the following: a bottle of wine (a must), candy (just in case), bobby pins (any girl knows this is a necessity), Tums, lip gloss, gum, hair spray, deodorant, lotion...ect. She liked that idea too...I told her no one would blame her if she wanted to open the wine earlier than the day of :)!

Saturday, we had planned to make our way up to the casino in Emmetsburg...but due to a "check list" of things to do...we made it to a couple of bars :) Our drive home (as well as the rest of the day/night) was full of laughs and stories. I was so tired when I got home that I fell asleep right away. Usually, after going out, I make sure I have all my belongings. This time I didn't...

(The irony!)

Well...I woke up the next day, went about my business and headed to have lunch with my dad. I wanted a soda to have with lunch so I stopped at the gas station. I went to grab my wallet and it was MIA. Instant panic...where did I put it? At first, I figured it fell out on the floor or I had left it at my mom's house when I cleaned it out earlier that morning. Couldn't find it anywhere...the thought of a thief when I stopped somewhere that morning ran through my head, but my gut said otherwise.

I was so frustrated and began to think of all of the things in my wallet I would have to replace, when my mom called me. She had given me a birthday check...that I had yet to cash...that was in my wallet. Apparently, her checks have her cell phone number on them, because the nice gentleman from the last bar we went to the night before, called her telling her I had left my wallet at the bar. WHEW! But...It was all the way in Emmetsburg! So I made another trip up to EBurg. Oh well, I'm just lucky the guy was nice enough to call and let me know where it was. Shout out to him and the bartender who were looking out for me! ((Thank you!))

I certainly had a good weekend and cannot wait until the wedding in June!

As for design...I have finished the designing and cutting of the wedding invites and RSVPs for the couple I speak of so much. I am currently working on their programs. I've found so many inspirational designs that I can't decide which route I would like to take. I have attached some of the ones that I really like and will probably make replicas of these for the couple to pick from. :) **Stay tuned for the final design!** I plan on putting the invite, RSVP, and programs together on a digital photo so that I can post it on here when the time comes!

Definitely going with the "Fun Facts" category on them!

Simplicity

Already created my own vector images of the bridal party...I hope they come in handy! 

If you've kept up with me...you know I love typography!

Quick & Stickygrams!

Anyone use Instagram?! 

Some may think it's a silly app but absolutely LOVE it! Great way to share and edit pictures. (Although, I don't really agree with the cropping dimensions.) ;)

Check out this website where you can get your Instagrams pics printed and they're magnets! Perfect!

*These would make cute/great gifts!

Click the image above for the link!

Cheers to the Weekend!

Happy Friday!!!

I couldn't be more ready for the weekend to be here.

I have some good things planned for this weekend. Tonight, I plan to make a trip to Plato's in DSM and get rid of some clothes! (Some meaning A LOT!) 

I hate to see some stuff go, but...I probably haven't worn it more than once or for at least 6 months. 

Tomorrow is a bridal shower & bachelorette party! I am so pumped—can't wait to see some old (by old I mean, my age from a long while...so 23ish) friends!

Not much design wise today. (Below) Is a gift for the bride to be (I don't think she'll see this blog post though)! This idea popped into my head like 2 days ago. The text in the back of the frame is the couples 'first dance' song. I got their initials (letters...whatever) and placed them above some cute fabric flowers (one of her wedding colors is pink!), rhinestones, and pearly decorations. (This is in a shadow box frame, btw.)

I didn't know how I felt about it when I completed it...now, I think I really like it. 

Have a lovely weekend, ya'll! (if you're in Iowa...stay warm! Mother Nature has been a real brat lately!)

Touché Dove!

I had noticed, in light of all of the unfortunate events in the last few days, a video floating around my social media. Of course, I overlooked it...wanted to be caught up in other things, I guess. 

This morning...a co-worker had sent this video via email to the female group of our company. Again...I chose to wait to watch it...get other things done first.

A couple of the women had replied to all in the email...basically saying they had seen it and how powerful it was. Another co-worker walked over to my desk to ask if I had watched it yet. Again...no. She mentioned that it made her and another co-worker tear up. I should probably watch it. 

It's such a true thing, they state, about women. Being our worst critic...picking out our "flaws" when, in fact, other people notice the beauty or nice features of us. It's a terrible thing that our world has developed...brainwashing women to think they're never good enough. Too fat, too skinny, ugly color of hair, big nose, small lips, wrong color of eyes, too pale...I could go on and on about all of things that I pick at myself about...let alone, what i've heard other women say about themselves. 

I encourage you NOT to wait to watch this video. But, prepare for some water works! 

Touché Dove!

http://realbeautysketches.dove.us/

Fonts, Fonts, Fonts, Fonts, Fonts...Everybody!

Think the song "Shots" by LMFAO, if you will...might be a little inappropriate? Would you believe me if I referred it to basket shots? Eh...didn't think so. ;)

Today, I thought I would share a group of fonts that I found that I LOVE. Of course, my love for Pinterest directed me towards a blog with these linked to it...

Click the image to go to the blog where these fonts are linked!

I have used these fonts for many things...showers...misc. projects for myself & home...and most recently, a little project (also inspired from Pinterest, but I made myself) for a couple that I know that is getting married this summer. I plan to print this on white, pearlized paper and frame it for the bride and groom to set at a table where their guests can see it! As of right now, it's a little gift from me to them for letting me do their wedding invitations, RSVPs, and programs. :)

It's Monday Already?

First of all, I didn't blog Friday because I was at my old high school talking to the students about my job! I had a great time and loved seeing one of my previous teachers! The place hasn't changed...much. But I was told by this teacher that she is retiring this year along with one of my 4th grade teachers, and my elementary and middle school art teacher! (Some of my, overall, favorite teachers EVER!)

I snapped a few pics over the weekend and had a lot going on.

Friday, after presenting at the school, I met up with an old high school friend. She is a full-time mommy now to a 4mo. old boy named Josh. He's a cutie! She, of course, asked if I'd like to hold him...I couldn't say no! But I sure did not know what to do once he was on my lap. He just gave me, as some college guy friends I had would call it, the "Bert stare."
Friday evening, I spent my time working at my parents' bar in my home town. So no pics from that :P

Saturday, one of my good friends and I traveled to Cedar Falls, where I went to college, and met up with one of my old roommates. We had dinner and hit up some bars and drank and laughed (much needed)! Here is my friend, Anna, who came with me...she has been such a good friend to me for the past few years and her loyalty to me is amazing. Apparently I decided one of my curls was perfect for a photo op! :) What's that? Why, yes, that is a jean vest! I absolutely LOVE it. Wish I could wear it every day. Every. Day.

Sunday, I spent most of my day driving and drinking plenty of water! :) When I got home, I missed Beebs so much, I spoiled her with treats and we played for a while. This is one of her favorite toys. It's a mouse and, if you ask me, the string is too short!

And remember when I went on a press check a week and a half ago?! Welp, I came in to work this morning and my project was here in BULK! :) So glad to see everything came out okay!

Lastly...Have you ever tried a self tanner? I have not. I was too chicken...until this weekend. Last time I was home, I noticed my mom has some really good color to her. I asked if she had been to the tanning salon...no. She had ordered this self tanner. It looked really good on her. I tried it this weekend and after one use, I think I could swear by it. Although, I had a couple of oopsie spots, I really liked the outcome. This is the mousse, and I was told there is a lotion as well. I did some research today and found that Sephora carries the line. BUT...don't forget the mitt! :)

Near & Dear...

A project that was (still is) very near and dear to my heart...

In my graphic design 1 class...we were given the project to create three collages. The subject matter could be whatever we wanted. As soon as we were instructed what to do, I knew exactly what I wanted to use.

My dad has tubs full of photos and things from my grandparents (his parents). Stuff from WWII and their sweetheart days, to their wedding, throughout their lifetime...It's so cool to see this stuff.

My grandpa was, basically, my best friend. I spent so much time with him during my youth (not that I'm not young now...you get the point). He always had breakfast waiting for me before school, picked me up after school, took me to lunch at Twiins Shoppe in the summer, and was there in the drop of a hat. He passed away during my freshman year of high school. It was totally unexpected and completely broke my heart. It took a really long time to finally let go...I miss him and think of him often, and knew this project was meant for him and telling his story.

I will have to post the other two collages I created during this project some other time... But the one I am posting below is the third collage of him and my grandma, Bonnie. Photos and letters explain it all...

I entered these collages in the Student Art Exhibition at UNI in the Spring of 2010. Two of the three were chosen to be in the show. I received two awards/scholarships with these collages. This collage received the "Merit Award" from UNI. What a way to go out on my first year in the design program and on this project! I am, still, so thankful for what doors this project opened for me in graphic design...There were days when I just wanted to give up and thought my work was complete trash...but then I remembered the collages I created...total boost.

"Hooked" by Mollie McGrath

Bubble Gum Typography

While going through my portfolio, I found another project worth sharing.

My junior year of college, I enrolled in the departments Typography class...
This was my first class with this professor, and I had always heard how big of a "jerk" he was from other classmates and older students. I'm not sure how I avoided him this long...

Typography ended up being one of my most favorite classes I took in college...(coming in a close 2nd to astronomy—yes, I LOVED astronomy!)

Our final project in Typography...we drew from "a hat." In this hat has misc. words and objects on a slip of paper. Things such as rubber bands, forks, keys, ect.

I drew 'bubble gum.'

Of course I would. I mean...you can distort and shape rubber bands, forks, keys...they all have some way you can form their shape. But gum...is so...rectangular, and I couldn't think of any thing that would make a person look at a rectangle and know it was gum.

Anyways...my sketches were ridiculous...I wish I could find my sketchbook with them. Haha...ohhhh...dear. I think at one point I wanted to scan chewed gum. I'm sure the lab monitors (and my professor, who basically ran the design lab) would have really appreciated that!

Finally, I looked to my prof for advice. He hinted at really considering the font for my subject matter.

Well, duh! Font/type is typography...which is what class this project is in.................

Finally, I came up with a project and vision in my head. It turned out pretty well, and my professor really enjoyed it!

*I did research on "bubbly" fonts and found one I was please with. I wish I could remember its name...
I made a booklet with each letter of "bubble gum" on each right hand page with a fact about gum that I found. The letters were all sized to be, somewhat, abstract on the "bubble gum pink" layout, and the facts on the left hand page.

Looking Back...

I was asked to come to my old high school to talk to the careers classes this Friday. I figured I should probably organize/update my portfolio...Looking back, I realize how far I have come since I started college. I do miss college...the people, the excuse to sleep in, and making memories. To be honest, I really enjoy the "real world." It has been good to me...so far. Yeah, bills suck and I have debt, but I enjoy actually putting my projects and designs out into the world. 

I remember the last project I had in college. It was to redesign a magazine. I was really burnt out by this time in college and just went to the closest Target and picked up a magazine. I didn't consider anything before grabbing it. It happened to be Traditional Home (which, actually, my professional raved about their elegant layout post-purchase...I was pretty pumped—he was a tough cookie!). 

Perhaps its holiday decor and photos appealed to me...During the redesign process, I realized how much I really liked putting magazines together. I did research on layouts and saved the ones I considered "inspirational." 

Below is a picstitch (iPhone App) of part of the final project. I would definitely redo this project...with another magazine of choice. I would consider the text, layout, and photos more carefully...But I am really happy with the outcome of this project (below). Maybe I'm having second thoughts on it because, where I work now, I have put together many more magazines. 

Perhaps this week I will focus on my "old" projects I find in my portfolio! It's fun to go back through and smile at my favorite projects and laugh at the projects that I thought were "good"...now I'm like...What the heck was I thinking?!

We all have those moments...don't we? :) 

Top photo: One of two final covers
Far Left: Second final cover
Middle: Table of Contents (I got a lot of compliments on this one!)
Far Right: Title page for one of the articles 

Mondee!

As soon as Monday gets here, I always feel like I'm playing catch up.

This weekend was good. I was off work early on Friday and caught up on some last minute errands (oil change)!

I spent some time with a good friend of mine on Friday night. We went out for margaritas and chatted.
Apparently I was so absent-minded that I totally forgot to get my debit card before leaving. Which leads to Saturday...me, frantically, calling this place to let them know I would be there ASAP to pick it up. Of course, they didn't open until 4pm and I was scheduled at my parents' bar at 5pm...and they aren't open on Sunday. Just my luck! So, hopefully, after my cardio drill class tonight, they will be open and still have my card!

On top of that, Saturday, I shut my fingers in my car door. Which happened to lock when I shut them in there...I, somehow, talked myself into staying "cool" and not bursting into tears like I did when I shut the same hand in my dads truck door, moving, over a year ago.

Besides the bad luck with some things over the weekend...I had a great time bar tending. I have this vision in my head that I will learn to spin the (drink) bottles like on Coyote Ugly....some day. It was also my dad's birthday over the weekend. Saturday night we had cakes made and a pretty good drink deal in his honor. (Insert grumpy face because I had too much cake!)

Besides playing catch up today, I went to Target over my lunch and found out their Champion sports bras are on sale!!! WHOOP! Those things are originally $16/piece. I have never seen these on sale before and consider this a good sign from above—Monday isn't so bad!

Oh, and the wedding invites I'm making for a couple...their paper came in over the weekend! SO excited to get started on those! *Stay tuned for pics!

Trigger That Inner Hulk!

My last semester of college (Fall 2011) did a real number on me (weight-wise). I graduated in December 2011 with my Bachelors…yada yada. Anyways…I worked at this fantastic restaurant in Cedar Falls (that blog will come at a different time) that serves amazing pastas (FAV!), steaks, salads, fish, chicken, sour dough bread (ughhh weaknesssss). So while I was busting my a** working there, I would always bring home pasta, crab cakes (Mollie likes what?!) , sour dough bread…whatever sounded good when I got off work. I had always been consistent at the gym while in college…until I turned 21, that is. My last semester I focused way too much on partying (with a trip to Mc D’s or Great Wall <<insert gag>> at bar close) and eating and trying new foods at the restaurant.

Insert when I graduate and get a big kid job in Ames, IA.

I moved to Ames and realized how much I didn’t take care of my body. (People here are flippin FIT!) I had a muffin top in pants that should fit me perfectly or be a little bit saggy in the butt (since I was always a "board back"). I never had to practice the lay down trick to get pants on until then. CRAP. Anyways…I finally found a gym in Ames.

I started to just do my own thing, which I always had in college and stayed pretty fit. Nope. Not working. Still got that pudge, McGrath!

Fast-forward to Fall 2012…I started going to the FREE workout classes the gym offers. Cardio Drill: M at 5:30. This girl really kicks my butt. She’s fantastic. I started to notice a little difference so I started trying other classes. Insert where I discovered Heat (Cardio drill but more body resistance) and then Step (so much harder that you would think) and then Kickboxing (my FAV!). The instructor for Heat and Kickboxing always messed with this watch when we started class…so one day I asked her what it was all about. She gave me details and showed me what it did. A Polar Watch: http://www.polar.com/en/about_polar/who_we_are

I wanted that. I did some research but never acted on it until a girl I follow on Instagram started posting her results (she had one, too). Ok. I finally ordered one. And my workouts haven’t been the same since.

I can’t tell you why or how this watch just makes me turn into a Hulk in my workouts. (My clothes do not rip off, so let’s not go there.) I lose track of time, I don’t stop to complain about how much my body hurts or to wipe the sweat flooding my eyes (TMI?)… I focus on my heart rate…going up, bring it down (active recovery), fat-burning stage…go back up…bring down…relax…ect.  I just get in this zone, go crazy and before I know it, an hour has gone by. My favorite part is when I stop the watch (timer) and see how many calories I burned. It’s a total high five or pat on the butt! From November to March I have lost a total of 10 lbs. 10 lbs for someone who likes to lift weight (muscle is heavier than fat for those of you who didn’t know) is pretty good, in my book.  Don’t get me wrong here…this watch isn’t the only reason I’ve lost weight.

My diet is another big contributor. I do enjoy a Dr. Pepper, cheeseballs from Hickory Park, and a cheesy med bread from B&S every once in a while. (Cheese weakness if you couldn’t tell.) But I have focused my diet on protein and …protein. I’ll post my protein tricks and such in another blog. But exercise isn’t the only way you’ll get results… I used to think if I worked out, I could eat whatever the hell I wanted. Ehhh..no. That’s a flippin lie. Why work so hard just to eat it all back? That’s no fun… Anyway…another blog will focus on that. 

This is from last nights work out (kickboxing + running)
And I fully believe in the bottom statement!

Baby...Let's Be Honest...

Double whammy today! (WHOOP!)

Again...I'm posting some of my freelance work.

My friend, Kristyn, asked me to do her baby shower invites last year. 

Let's be honest...I'm not good with babies. Give me a cat, I'm like an expert...hand me a baby and I lose all knowledge and think I'm going to break them...I look awkward...It's just not my time. HA!

Although I'm not good with babies, I really did enjoy this project.

If you couldn't tell...she had a boy. 

I really did my research on presentation with baby shower invites. I enjoyed the top middle one because I love to mess with typography. But it didn't seem right for her. 

I brainstormed ideas with what kind of animals babies liked and what baby stuff (clothes, stuff animals, blankets, ect.) had on them...

She, eventually, said she was doing a jungle theme for his room. 

She chose the invite on the bottom left. 

I drew the monkey in Adobe Illustrator. I'm not 100% awesome in that program, when it comes to drawing, yet...but, as I always say, we'll get there! 

*If you or anyone you know is interested in any of these designs, let me know!

**I can always change the colors! :)

Happy (double whammy) Monday!

Catching Up Round 2

Happy Monday!

I haven't blogged for a long time. Shame. On. Me.

We've had some internet connect probz!

Anyways...my 23rd birthday was over the weekend. I had a complete blast. Friday, I spent time with some good high school friends, Stef and Lauren (and their friends, too!). We ate dinner at Centro (have you ever been there?...SO nice. I would definitely go again!), hit up downtown Des Moines, and rang in my birthday!

Saturday was pure chaos! I woke up, Beebs had a vet appointment for some shots (she did well!). I got ready and headed to Des Moines (again)...I had ordered Scratch cupcakes last week. "Oh Happy Day" and "Sully" were the two flavors I ordered. (See pic below) If you haven't had Scratch...YOU ARE MISSING OUT! I remember the tiny shop the owner had in Cedar Falls, IA a few years ago, and now it's a franchise. I drool at the thought of any cupcake from this place. Check our their website for locations and flavors!

After that, I went to the mall to wait for my sisters arrival.
I spent some time in Forever 21...simply my weakness store (along with Francesca's). I ended up with some neon green shorts, a jean vest (wussup 80s), a black lace tank, and some cute bracelets. (SO CHEAP)...anyways, she got to the mall and we got pedicures and did some more shopping! Express had 40% off everything...so I got some more neon/bright shirts there! (I'll try to get some pics of these soon!)

My sister needed restocked on her makeup (Bare Minerals!) so we went to their boutique and one of the ladies put makeup on my sister...which she must have been a manager because she kept having to stop doing my sisters make to say hello to every. single. person. that walked in. Ugh. So we were running a bit behind (and with traffic) it took forever to get to the Embassy. But we made it...got ready, just in time for my friends, Deb and Anna, to arrive for HAPPY HOUR (sangria for this lady)! HOLLA!

We went for dinner to Court Ave. Brewery , otherwise known as CABCO. to Des Moinesians (love that place), then to Mickey's (met up with my cousin and her boyfriend), and ventured to Joker's (completely reminds me of the good ol' Cedar Falls days). All I can say is, I had a blast. 23 has been much better than 22 was!

Thank you to everyone who made it a special weekend and went out of their way to tell me 

'Happy Birthday!'

Top left: Jenn (cousin), me, Andrea (sister)
Middle left: Scratch cupcakes!
Bottom left: Stef, myself, and Lauren (high school classmates/friends!)
Top right: Stef and I
Bottom right: Anna and I