The Room Where It Happens

Hamilton!

A few weeks ago, the husband and I hopped a train to NYC to see Hamilton. And do other stuff, but, mostly, see Hamilton.

I had purchased tickets for his birthday and we went in mid February--which, for us, is usually a weekend that we spend stuck indoors because the East Coast is usually slammed with a snowstorm. This time however, it was so warm in New York that I ditched my coat during the day!

We stayed at The Roger, which is basically a block away from The Empire State Building. I usually stay a little closer to Times Square, so, it wasn't super walkable to shopping and theater, but, it was really quiet and still walkable to midtown and the river.

On Saturday AM we trekked up with the UWS to go to Sarabeth's and explore the UWS. I prefer the Central Park South location, but, it was booked, so, Upper West Side, it was! I always love the UWS-the families, the shopping, the proximity to the park; it's always so fun.

Spent the day wandering the park and then before HAMILTON, we went to The Plaza for light snacks and drinks at The Palm Court.

And then, Hamilton. Y'all. It was so good. I wish someone had told me just how good it was, because, I would have seen it a long ass time ago. The tickets were worth just seeing King George and then Guns & Ships was 100% worth every penny. I'm currently plotting how I can go back and see it again.

I only need one kidney, right?

On Sunday we spent the day in Midtown; I took my honey to my favorite brunch place in midtown/Hell's Kitchen, we did Top Of The Rock (my favorite!), and explored 5th Avenue.

We enjoyed The Smith for dinner and then walked back to the hotel via Grand Central so my husband could see the impressive train station.

Monday was our last day and we explored the Natural History Museum, Madison Square Park and braved Penn Station to get home.

It was a magical trip and I'm so glad we were able to explore NYC together. I used to go to New York several times a year, but, I've never been with my husband, and although his family is from New York, he had never really explored Manhattan.

As much as I miss Texas, living a 3 hours train ride away from New York is not a bad gig!

Ah! Take me back!

Any fun trips coming up? Anyone else want to go halvsies with a kidney so we can all go see Hamilton?

Two Years

March 1st. I don't know how that happened! But, I love spring. And summer. I'm not a big winter person--although, to be honest, we didn't even have a winter here in Baltimore. We had maybe an inch of snow, it didn't stick, and very few days that required busting out my down coat.

I bought new snow boots in November, so, everyone in Maryland, you're welcome for the mild winter.

I digress.

Spring! Flowers! Sunshine! It's all so lovely. My now husband proposed to me in spring of 2015, and we married in late spring last year. Spring is just the best.

It signals new beginnings and changes.

For me, in March of 2015, everything changed. I had been sick for 5 months previously, with the last few leading me to be basically bedridden. I lost my jobs, gained oh so much weight, was barely able to stomach much food, slept very little, and was on and off various medications trying to figure out what was wrong.

Two of my lowest points include being so sick I didn't even puke in the toilet, and forcing myself to inject medication in my thigh at 1am.

I was sent home and dismissed by numerous doctors, including a weeklong stint at The Mayo Clinic which left me heartbroken, distraught and even more confused. At one point, a doctor looked me square in the eye and told me I was lying. So. That happened.

After returning home from Minnesota, the one boss I still had hooked me up with a client of hers who referred me to her physician. And God bless it all--she believed me. She didn't send me home. She didn't question. She didn't have answers, but, she was willing to fight for me. And fight for me she did.

Together we poured over months of doctor's notes, medications, and hospital visits. Together we formed a plan. Together we figured it out.

By March, I was undergoing tests for a heart condition--me! A heart condition? A marathon runner and barre instructor?

And a few weeks later, everything changed. I sat in my cardiologists office as his PA shared my results with me. My stupid heart doesn't work right. Marathons are out. Running is out. Keeping my heart rate low is in. Strength training is ok. Burpees are not.

Everything stopped. I had defined myself by running for the last, what, six years? It was all gone. I remember stumbling out of the office and going home to lay down and process everything. I was so grateful to finally have answers (my heart condition is caused by a genetic condition that I was born with--thanks mom--and had no idea about until my doctor started running tests), finally understand what was happening and why. But, my life was forever changed. Not only could I no longer run, but, I now had to address all the underlying symptoms. A rheumatologist, cardiologist, gastro specialist, neurologist. The list goes on.

Two years later, with a team of doctors, I'm lucky that I have mostly good days. Most days I don't have issues getting out of bed, most days I can function from sun up to sun down. Most days.

And on the bad days, I stay in bed, watch The West Wing and eat a lot of Cheetos.

All this to say, March is bittersweet for me. It's the month where everything changed. It's the month that I took control. It's the month where I got answers.

Yesterday was Rare Disease Day, and I fall under that category. I hope that anyone reading who battles unknown illnesses will keep fighting. Keep your chin up, keep pressing forward. You CAN do this.

Happy Spring. Don't ever give up on yourself!

xo

Basically the opposite of Whole 30

It's almost February and it seems like all the people I know are almost done with their first round of Whole 30 for the year. I am not one of these people. 

I think Whole 30 is great, but I know it's not for me. I like bread and candy too much. And I know those are the exact things I shouldn't eat, but, let me tell you, when I restrict those things, I go bonkers. (and please, spaghetti squash just tastes like sadness covered in sauce; I'm sorry, I can't get on board with it. Don't pretend it's the same as pasta, it's not) (at least to me)

Case in point: trying to lose weight for my wedding meant very little of either. Until two months after the wedding when I went hog wild! All the bread! Sour Patch Kids in bulk! Luckily, I have since reined it in because I allow myself to have these items.

What works best for me is eating healthy foods, not going to Chipotle everyday (lame!), and I do the best when I cook for myself. Back in the day when I had roommates I cooked probably 6 nights a week with one night for leftovers. Going out was a treat. Then when I lived alone I rarely cooked for just myself because that is boring, and when I lived in London I basically never cooked unless you call picking up salad mix from M&SS cooking. I did usually top it with some salmon, however.

So, I'm trying to cook more at home. I want to be a better cook. I used to be pretty stellar and had a nice reserve of recipes. That was like, six years ago and now I basically cook like two things. Seriously, it's de-pressing. 

We watched Julie & Julia a few weeks ago and if that doesn't inspire you to cook, I don't know what will. My husband also gifted me a French Comfort Food cookbook last year and I figured I should use it. I have a ton of cookbooks--mostly because people gift them to me, so, now it's time to use them again.

Last week feeling super motivated, I ran to Target and picked up Cooking for Jeffrey because obviously, Ina. So, on Sunday night--the only day I have any time to do any real cooking, I made a beef bourguignon. It was delicious. I made enough for leftovers on Monday and last night I made one of Jeffrey's favorite meals (per Ina), roast chicken salad with grilled bread. Which, is incredibly healthy--or, at least, more healthy than the "salad" I get at Chipotle (yes, it all comes back to Chipotle). Unless of course you eat the skin off the chicken while the bread is grilling a la Joey on Friends because when you don't get home until 8pm and your day started at 5am that Lean Cuisine you had at noon really isn't doing it anymore. Why do I buy those? They aren't good. Not that I did that. Because that would be crazy. 

In the efforts of full disclosure, you should know that I changed up Ina's recipe a little; I added some Dijon to the salad dressing, some romaine lettuce to thicken it up and add some crunch, cherry tomatoes and avocados because I am not a savage. Oh, and rotisserie chicken from the market because I'm a working woman and can't be bothered to roast an actual chicken on a weeknight (probably, also not on the weekend either if we're being honest).

Highly recommend the salad. My husband LOVED it and he's not a huge salad person. It had a lot of complimentary flavors and the crunch of the romaine helped a lot, in my opinion. 

This weekend, I'm attempting an actual roast chicken (I used to be real good at this and cooked one hell of a Thanksgiving turkey in London, it'll be fine), and then a skillet lasagne because I'm married to an Italian and also really lazy. Wish me luck!

What are y'alls go to easy recipes and or cookbooks?

Tap, tap, is this thing on?

Hi guys.

Happy 2017!

Well, we're 16 days into 2017, so, I guess I'm a little late there too. Oops. To be fair, 2017 greeted me with a cold, my husband with the stomach flu and then it was a lather, rinse, repeat cycle for me with the cold....You probably didn't want to hear about that. Anyways. I highly recommend TheraFlu.

I used to blog a lot. And, now I, well, I don't. Blogging has changed a lot from what it was when I started back in 2008 (I think?). I'm not a fashion blogger, fitness blogger, food blogger, or, design blogger. Or, well, anything special. I just generally used this space to chat about funny things in my life, or lament about work.

And, in 2017, I intend to do more of just that. Blog. Not anything in particular, but, hopefully, it will be fun.

Here's a little rundown of me, if you're new here (or, if you've forgotten because, well, I'm lazy):

I'm a Texan Expat somehow stuck in the Mid Atlantic where I enjoy all the oysters I can get my hands on, and the newly discovered thing called "seasons". I live in a restored rowhouse with my husband (newlywed) and our three dogs. I own a barre fitness studio and eat Chipotle far too often. I used to live in London and I really, really love Diet Coke. My favorite color is pink and I've never met a hamburger I didn't like. I used to be a runner, but in 2015 was diagnosed with a heart condition and cardio is no longer my friend. I have red hair and far too many dresses.

That's me in a nutshell.

Let's do this, 2017!

(almost) One Year in Baltimore

One year ago we closed on our house in Baltimore and several weeks later, the pups and I packed up and moved to Charm City.

It's been a wild ride and there's nowhere else I'd rather be.

We got hitched in May, honeymooned in June and now I'm starting my own business. We're putting down roots and I love it!

May 28, 2016 

Can't wait to share more Baltimore adventures with you!

Naptown Funk

Y'all. You know my insane love for the United States military, and now I live in the homestate of the United States Naval Academy (Annapolis = Naptown.... for those who don't know) (I didn't until I worked in Annapolis last year). They slayed Gangnam Style a few years ago, and now they've brought us Naptown Funk.







I haven't stopped laughing.



Go Navy!

Funemployment and RepliKates

So. I have a lot to catch y'all up on, don't I?

As Maria would say, let's start at the very beginning:

We got engaged.

Life with this guy is pretty sweet. 

We bought a house in Baltimore.

Baltimoreans! 

We moved to Baltimore.

We stopped off in Shenandoah, Virginia en route to Maryland. 

I have no job--yet--one starts in December-ish and I had an interview today for another one, hooray!

In the interim, I've managed to keep myself busy by finding you all some fun Looks for Less options if, like me, you think that Duchess Kate can do NO wrong. Cause, really, she can't.

Without further adieu.

Kate's most recent look was this stunning plum lace Dolce & Gabbana dress. It's a mere $2,800, so, if you don't need to pay rent or a mortgage or anything, it's right up your alley. If, you're a mere mortal, might I suggest this Tadashi Shoji Sequin Lace Dress? It's $298 from Nordstrom and would make a gorgeous holiday party dress.

 Temperley of London is hands down one of my favorites on ze Duchess--next to Jenny Packham, of course. This blue dress has long been one of my favorites on Kate--it screams femininity. She looks perfect--per usual. If the real version isn't in your budget, this darling Ted Baker frock is pretty darn close. And who can say no to cut out lace? Not I, my friends, not I. 

 Now, this is a look I picked up for myself. If it's floral, I want it. Kate wore this blue floral LK Bennett dress in Canada as a newlywed and it fit her perfectly--that cut, am I right? If you want that look for yourself, Lord & Taylor has this pretty in purple Adrianna Pappel sheath dress.

Speaking of pretty in purple, we all remember when she dazzled in Alexander McQueen and Jimmy Choos at the BAFTAs, right? Swoon. I'm basically giving my hair and makeup girl that picture and if she can't make me look like a redhead version of that for my wedding, she's fired. I own zero Alexander McQueen, but, for $117, this ASOS dress may take up residence in my closet very soon. Now. I just need an occasion to wear it! Thursday sounds good, right? 

Happy shopping, y'all! Tiara is sold separately, of course. 

The Great Kate Wait 2.0

Happy Anniversary to our favorite couple, Will & Kate! I don't know about you, but, the Royal Wedding was just about the most fun that was ever had on social media. I mean, wasn't it so lovely watching Kate walk down the aisle? Gah, I love it!

In honor of their four years of wedded bliss, and the impending arrival of the newest member of the house of Windsor, I thought I would share a few of my favorite memories of the Royal Wedding, as well as a few of the best RepliKates out there, just in case, you're like me and want to dress like a Princess--er, Duchess.

This is my favorite--it's like "Hey, thanks for showing up today. Also, you look hot."
source

Watch us kiss, peasants!
source 

And just because they are the literal cutest and her hair is seriously swoon worthy....
source 

This is one of my all time favorite Kate pictures--she looks stunning, as usual, but, the pointing and the tiara are all very "Oh yes darling? Oh, I can't hear you over my TIARA."  And I lust after that dress. LUST.

But since I don't have a royal budget and can't afford stunning Temperly of London frocks, I must settle for second best. Which is fine because the ladylike astethic that the Duchess is known for is finally becoming mainstream popular! Hallejauh! 

Nordstrom is currently selling a RepliKate of her LK Bennet Floral dress pictured below. 

 I bought the Nordstrom version and love it--it was a little big in the waist and arms, but, nothing a tailor can't fix!

It seems the Fashion Gods heard our prayers and Hobbs UK is re-releasing the most perfect tea dress in a cornflower blue rather than the grey that Kate sported. This is one of my all time favorite looks--it is ladylike and pretty without being pretentious! Hobbs is actually super affordable!

Of course I ordered this too, and it is currently making its way across the pond from England and I am dying to get my grubby little hands on it! 

What are your favorite Duchess of Cambridge looks? 

Boys Make Passes At Girls Who Wear Glasses

I am so excited to share this post with y'all!

My vision went from back to worse when I lived abroad and my eyes weren't getting enough oxygen or something, so, I have to wear glasses ''at least'' 3 days a week. When I found out I had to wear my glasses most days of the week, I decided I needed to purchase some CUTE specs for my daily use.

My favorite pair are my Warby Parker frames--I get compliments on them constantly (just last week at the doctor's office!), they were so easy to purchase (hello, at home try on and amazing customer service--I emailed them about my RX and they contacted my doctor the next day!) and they have plenty of awesome styles to suit everyone.

Oh, did I mention they are affordable? For what I would usually pay for glasses from my doc, you could get like 3 sets of frames! One for everyday of my glasses wear.

Enough about me! Let's talk more about Warby Parker.

Today Warby Parker is launching their new spring line of glasses, and I am obsessed! Using inspiration from springtime--especially our favorite parts of spring, sunshine, beaches, and all things nautical it is a breath of fresh air while most of us are bundled up in this frigid winter (anyone else over the snow? Yeah, me too). They've created 8 new frames in six new colors all taking inspiration from the beauty and nature of the ocean--they're classic and clean with a fun and fresh style.

Here are a few of my favorites!

Finch Striped Molasses 
{obviously I had to chose the redhead model--love those frames with her hair}

Carnaby Blue Coral
{this pair reminds me of the ocean in California, deep blues and browns from the kelp--they captured it perfectly}

Sullivan Saltwater Matte with Red Seaweed Matte
{whenever we go to the beach we collect seaglass--this pair looks like it was made of seaglass!}

Theo Striped Beach 
{my boyfriend loves old wooden surfboards and these colors remind me of a sandy surfboard}

Since I wear my Warby Parkers daily, I thought I'd find a few cute outfits to complement their new collection. Naturally, I went to Anthropologie for my looks--it's a perfect match!

Personally, I love this pair with this super cute Anthro dress--hello spring!

Brooks Oak Barrel

Icepleat Maxi Dress {Anthropologie}

Or, for a lovely day at the beach--all the blues!

Daisy Aurelia Tortoise 

Seafolly Vintage Vacation {Anthropologie} 

I love that Warby Parker used so many gorgeous natural colors for their spring collection--keeping with their classic and hip style, albeit with a fun and funky new vibe. It totally suits me, as a California born beach bum and I think they captured our love of sun and sand perfectly. I can't wait to order a new pair!

What's your favorite pair? Hop on over to Warby Parker, check out their new collection and get yo'self a new pair o' specs! And remember, for every pair purchased, another is donated to someone in need--that's pretty awesome. Do good.

xoxo

That time like a zillion years ago, I went to Paris

Paris. 

The city that is a mere 2.5 hour train ride away from me. I've never been--until April, when Ted and I hopped the Eurostar and spent a few days in The City of Lights.

We were lucky enough to stay with his friends who have an apartment in the 7th district, so we were walking distance to Champs Mars and there is a lovely bakery right downstairs so I happily ate all the Pain au Chocolate I could.

Now, as romantic and wonderful and amazing as Paris is, it was not my favorite part of the trip. I know, y'all are freaking out on me right now. But, I have my reasons: first, the weather was awful--it has been warmer in London and it was cloudy and cold the whole time, so, that kind of was a bummer; second, I was sick for the first day-ish of the trip, so I ended up falling asleep for a good FIVE HOURS at around 4PM and missed my chance to have a romantic date with my guy. (although, he was amazing and went and got us take out sushi while I was sleeping, so, we had a late dinner and then walked down to see the tower sparkle at 10PM) and lastly, since we were staying with friends, our agenda was very much seeing them, and all the things I really wanted to do, I wasn't able to, so, that was kind of a bummer.

But! It was still amazing and wonderful and Ted got to catch up with old friends and I got to wander around Paris with the love of my life, so, I am not complaining AT ALL. I would love to go back to Paris when the weather is nice, and when we can run around and see the sights together.

But, enough rambling, how about some pictures!

The view from our apartment 

Apartment courtyard 

I don't really need to caption this, do I? 

Because I have no interest in going to the top of the Eiffel Tower (scared of heights), we did Arc du Triomphe on our first day and as much as I cursed the whole thing--you walk up that nonsense--the view was totally worth it! 

Cloud day, but, gorgeous nonetheless 

Obviously there was a trip to Musee du Louvre....

I love this dude like a whole bunch 

We strolled across the bridge and locked it up

Then to Notre Dame so the artist could sketch.

The next day we wandered around little squares, had pastries and made a stop by the Opera House so I could go all Christine Daae. It was just as perfect as I'd imagined! 

There was so much more I wanted us to do and see in Paris, but, it was an amazingly wonderful few days, and I am so lucky I got to experience Paris with him, and that we have such great memories. 

But, my favorite part of our European Extravaganza was totally our trip to Barcelona! 

Up next!

Worst. Blogger. Ever--aka me!

Y'all.

I don't even know. The boyfriend got here and we had two amazing weeks running around Europe together, then he left and I was crazy depressed and crazy busy with school and work, then I decided I missed him too much and flew back for Easter, and then last week was just writing essays a good 10 hours a day, so, that's where that is.

Yikes.

But, I have pictures, so, that should make up for it, yes?

Back in March (yikes) I was wrapped up my last few days of classes, and working my face off because I was taking two weeks off to see my guy. The craziness was worth it!

He got in on a Friday morning and I got to the airport a good hour before we made it out of customs and baggage claim--I didn't even care, I was so excited and I couldn't risk not being there the second he walked out of those big double doors at Heathrow.

And I was there and he was there and it was perfect. I've always wanted someone to meet me, or to meet someone at Heathrow for one of those "Love Actually" moments, and I finally got one. And it was perfect.

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think of the arrivals gate at Heathrow airport....

We got back to my apartment so he could rest, clean up and relax for a bit before we headed out to be tourists.

First he needed to love on Moneypenny.

Not totally sure what to do with each other 

Can you blame him?

The first day I took him to King's, and we walked around the Southbank and The Strand, then back to Notting Hill for dinner. It was suuuuuper cold that first night so I had to wear my damn winter coat with my dress. Yes, I wore a dress. It was my first London date, I was wearing a damn dress.

Saturday was blissfully sunny, even if a little chilly, so we ditched the museum idea and went to an al fresco brunch followed by an afternoon in Hyde Park. We sat along The Serpentine and people watched, ate ice cream and relaxed. It was perfect.

Brunch at Bumpkin in South Ken 

I took him down Brompton Road so he could see it in all its ridiculousness and then we headed home to get ready for date night. Yes, silly, do I care, no. We had dinner at my favorite restaurant, Opera Tavern and then I showed him around Covent Garden and we spent the evening in Soho and Shaftesbury Ave.

Covent Garden 

Two idiots at a hipster bar 

Sunday was a perfectly lazy day--breakfast at the coffee shop down the street, then we headed over to Hampstead Heath where we had intermittent sun and a great Sunday roast.

Enjoying the rare London sun 

We had some time to kill after roast, so we trekked to a pub and just hung out for a bit. Lazy afternoons with no plans are so nice and something we never get to do together!

Sunday night we made plans to meet up with one of Ted's friends who lives in London. They met while on the crew team together in college, so it was super fun to have a night out with a bunch of rower nerds. We went to a pub in Maida Vale and then walked around for a bit. Nothing exciting, but, it was loads of fun!

Really not my most flattering angle, but, whatever--rowers unite in Maida Vale!

Monday we got it done! Museums in the morning, Buckingham Palace after, late lunch at Harrod's and a West End show that night. 

Late lunch at Harrod's raw bar: oyster's, smoked salmon and caviar. It was my "you're done with classes!" fancy lunch

Tuesday we did even more museums, a late lunch at my favorite Italian place and then dinner with my friends in Covent Garden, followed by a date to Five Guys with my most favorite girl and her husband so she could take burgers back home. True love is that he allowed her to purchase 3 burgers and take them home on the train! I'm telling you, it's the little things you miss from home, man!

We called it an early night because Wednesday we were off to PARIS!!

Love Actually, is, all around

I am so excited because on Friday morning, my guy finally gets to London! Like, he's getting on a flight and coming 3,600 miles to see me! Isn't that the most romantic thing ever? I'm insanely giddy about the whole thing. Insanely giddy to drag him around London, to play tourist in Paris and show him Barcelona. It will be the most amazing two weeks of my life.

The first time either one of us had a "real" New Year's Eve date

He is, an amazing guy. And I can't believe he's mine.

Our day in DC is one of my favorite days from 2013 and probably ever 

I can't believe he took a chance on us, when we'd only been dating three weeks and decided to try this whole ultra long distance thing. Looking back, it was completely crazy. I can't believe either one of us, honestly. But, here we are. And there's no one I've loved more, no on who's made me laugh more, who's supported me, or believed in me like him. I am truly grateful that we found each other.

And this was my least favorite day from 2013 and probably ever. The day I left Dallas

We've somehow been able to cultivate a gorgeous relationship from 3,600 miles apart, which, I think is the most telling. We're in this together ya know. Sure, we've missed out on a lot of those regular couple things--calling after work and seeing if the other wants to get dinner; deciding whose house to stay at over the weekend; having dates with friends; work events; just sitting on the couch watching a movie--we've missed out on all of that, but, what we do have is so great that I wouldn't trade it for anything. And, the best part is, when I'm done here, I get to fly back to him and stay with him for a little bit since I can't move back into my house until September.

From my going away party--where he wanted to meet all my friends and stayed with a group of girls until the very end f the night. 

Anyways. I'm just really lucky. If you've been here for awhile you know my love life has been somewhat of a disaster the last few years, from major heartaches, to break ups and lonely nights, it hasn't been easy. But, apparently, all that hardship was leading somewhere really, really good.

And, most importantly, on Friday, I get to pick up the love of my life from the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport, just like Hugh Grant always said. Love Actually, is, all around.

Two beach bums who met in Dallas, having a snowy date in Baltimore