My Sweet Anniversary Gift

The greatest blessing of this life of mine is undoubtedly my handsome husband Jonathon. Even though I didn't splurge on anything fancy-dancy with my first paycheck (see yesterday's post), J surprised me with a sweet and beautiful locket necklace for our anniversary on Tuesday.

Not only is it so special because it was so thoughtful, it's also better than anything I could have picked out for myself. It looks a little something like this, but with one pearl and no etched hearts. It's lovely, simple and sweet and was given with love. Those are the best gifts. Can you tell I'm a bit jazzed about it?

I'm well loved. It's the best. :)

Sometimes its all Perspective

You know how people always ask the newly employed "What'd you splurge on with your first paycheck from that new job of yours"?

I had envisioned answering with something much sexier than "I paid off my engorged credit card bill and whatever was left over went to rent..." Sigh.

There are so many other things I would have loved to splurge on besides groceries and gas. Mostly vacations... (Now that I have a job all I want is to go on so many vacations. Such is life, no?). The top of my vacation wish list right now is a trip up to North Carolina to visit our good friend Casey and to see the stunning fall foliage. How can you resist this?

That all being as it is, it's beyond amazing to be able to pay my bills on time once again, and in reality, having enough gas and groceries is definitely a luxury we have been missing. We're doing the baby-step shuffle back into the black and it feels great. Double woot for steady incomes! Woot Woot!

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

Although I have been seriously missing from my most favoritest blog here, there are many good reasons for my absence. What's that you say? You want to know WHAT the reasons are? Well, allow me to regale you.

Reasons! Namely... my new job across town from my husband's (did I mention we only have one car? sorry Mother Nature, it appears our carbon footprint is directly related to our bank account), secondly... visitors (huttah!), and thirdly... Jonathon and I have had so little time together during the football season that the last thing I want to do during our together time is to stare at my computer screen!

Please forgive me, won't you? I will be more back on track now. It's a mild promise. :)

So speaking of together time, today marks a very special day for yours truly and my main man. It is our 6 month wedding anniversary today!

Since our schedules are so wackadoodle lately, we decided to use our weekend to celebrate properly. Besides eating dessert 3 times a day (yea, I said 3 meals a day of dessert. Cinnamon coffee cake for breakfast, apple crisp for lunch and molten chocolate cake for dinner!), we also had a sunset picnic at one of Orlando's most beautiful parks and reminisced on our most recent 6 months. It is insane how many changes we have gone through in such a short amount of time. I can truly say we have never been stronger as a couple; it feels amazing to be married!

Gifts may have been involved...

Orlando's parks and lakes are GORGEOUS!

Especially at sunset...

Happy 6 Months of Marriage to Us!!!

What's in a Name?

My most adorable little sister started kindergarten last week.

Isn't that the sweetest?

Her teacher's name is Ms. Nicewanger.

No, I'm not kidding.

In related news, my little brother is now in 5th grade.

How cute is he? Too cute.

There's a boy in his class named Devon Weinus.

Still... not kidding.

Week 1 on the Job

I have been super MIA from my good ole blog for a while. Mostly I have been adjusting to office life at my new job and also entertaining my mom while she has been in town. I don't want her to leave, we have been having too much fun!

It has definitely been a big week! Here's my new "under construction" 8 hour a day home...

Off to the football game... GO KNIGHTS!!!

Reason #8 to Visit Orlando

The Winter Scenic Park Boat Tour.

I'll let the photo do the talking on this one...

Gorgeous, no?

UKNIGHT!

Game One = WIN. We had a total blast.

It's completely weird getting used to football in the hot hot heat, but I hear it will cool down soon enough. There's nothing like watching the game with a hot cocoa under a blanket! Whose cuter than my mom?

The people sitting behind us asked, "we have to know, who do you keep looking for up in the press box? Is Michael Jordan here?" :)

Nah, just my own personal celebrity. There's my hubs. He's the best.

Enough about football... Guess what else is happening? Today, after 6 long months of unemployment, temp work, applications, interviews and all that miserable jazz, I am finally off to my first official day of work at my new job!!!

It's been forever since I have 9-5ed it, so I could definitely use your support. Wish me luck!

Fall is for Football

Ladies and gentlemen, it's official. Fall is here. Why so early? Because tonight is the very first game of our college football season!

This is where you will find for the next 4 months...

Despite the 92 degrees and possible thunderstorms predicted for today, it is NOW officially fall! Fall is for football, right? Welcome to it, how do you plan to celebrate?

Old San Juan Honeymoon

Jonathon and I have been looking for an international honeymoon on a domestic budget for our postponed 'moon, which has turned more likely into a one-year anniversary trip.

We have been thinking how about... Viva Puerto Rico bambino! My family has all been to the island of Vieques and say there is no place quit like it, so we will for sure be checking that out if we venture to PR, but we will also want to see the city life!

Below are a few hotels that are making me swoon and really making PR seem like the right place to go...

With just twelve rooms and suites, The Cervantes (from $195 per night) is a unique boutique hotel with old school charm located in Old San Juan. They even have a honeymoon package that includes champagne and breakfast in bed... yes please!

Us Angelinos enjoy the hustle and excitement of the city but still don't want to miss that carribbean feeling... the Beach House Hotel (from $135 per night) could definitely be our spot. If you book a four-poster bed on the beach to lounge the day away, you can also stick around into the evening to view outdoor movies projected onto the side of the hotel. Ooh la la. Doesn't that sound fun?!

What is a honeymoon/anniversary vacation without a bit of luxury to go with your pina colada? The El Convento (from $250 per night) is exactly what it sounds like, a converted Old Convent that now offers some seriously romantic San Juan style.

Starting Today...

You can own your very own inaugural leather collection Fall 2010 Tiffany & Co purse. Who else is excited?!





Personally, I am slightly in love with the reversible totes and the Tiffany blue clutch shown above. For those of you lucky enough to have the kind of expendable income wherein you can pop out today and grab a few bags, here are the places you can drop your cash off...




Happy shopping!