Happy (Almost) New Year!

I don't know about the rest of you, but 2011 was actually pretty awesome for me. It started off somewhat rocky, still getting over a break up, just graduating and not knowing what I was doing with my life, but things picked up very, very quickly.

I went on my first cruise in January and got a killer deal on it. I went with 3 of my close guy friends and had to share a teeny-tiny room with them, which was surprisingly easy. I also ended up meeting one of my best friends during this trip. We came back when Atlanta was iced over, which for me just extended the vacation. It's definitely odd to go from being in a bathing suit on the beach in Mexico to driving on icy roads within a matter of days.

2011 was also awesome because since I graduated in December of 2010, NO SCHOOL! What a relief. All I had to do was work. And even though my job is completely boring, I'm extremely glad to have it.

I also met my wonderful, amazing boyfriend on my birthday (January 19) and after his endless attempts to woo me and get me to spend time with him, I finally gave in. I couldn't be happier that I did. There's definitely something special about being with someone who really pursued you. Things just keep getting better with us.

One of my best friends got married in April and we had a blast on the trip and at the wedding. I really loved being able to be a part of that. (hello, maid of honor right here!)

I moved into a new, adorable house with only one roommate. It's the nicest place I've lived in, aside from my parent's house. I finally have a closet again (walk-in!) after not having one for 4+ years. Old historic houses are weird.

Things I'm looking forward to in 2011:
*Finally becoming debt free and STAYING that way (aside from my school loan).
*Continuing my paid internship and hopefully getting more work from that.
*New business possibilities that are currently in the works. I really hope this one takes over and can actually replace my job, but I have to take things as they come!
*Continuing my relationship and making it stronger. No one has ever made me this happy, and I really hope I do the same for him.

And who knows what else! Hopefully all good things.
I've got my outfit all ready for New Years Eve and I'm looking forward to bringing in the new year with my man, and a whole lot of happiness!

What Am I Doing?

Blogging is a funny thing, I've discovered. Sometimes I feel like I can't tell the difference between what is someone's blog, and what is just a bunch of random pictures. I found one that I subscribed to because I probably liked an outfit in one photo. But as I continue checking my reader, the ONLY thing this person posts is pictures and GIFs of attractive male celebrities. The same ones. Over and over. Boring!

But what do I know? I've only made one post about apples.

My roommate and I are moving in two weeks. It seems like it's taken forever to get here because well, it has. Our moving date was pushed back a month. But I really cannot wait. It was by luck, and my extreme talent in using my social resources, that we found this place. It's pretty perfect. And I will have a closet again for the first time in over 4 years. FOUR YEARS. And my own big bathroom, with two sinks. TWO SINKS! I can wash one hand in each sink. Because that is practical. Atlanta really is a great place to live. I cannot imagine what a house like this would cost in NYC. Especially being so close to the city.

In a perfect world, our living room would look like this:

Or this:


Images found here.


But mommy doesn't make that kind of cheddar.

So we will do the best we can with what we have. And save up to eventually buy other things. Or at least wait for the paycheck where the entire thing doesn't go to bills and my dang federal student loan. But I think we've got a lot of good stuff to work with. I've been slowly buying and saving things. Parents are great for buying random stuff they don't really need and then giving it to you. The house has a great feel as is. At least it will once I paint my bedroom and bathroom.(Stripes?! Only for the bathroom. Maybe.)

And my not-so-new most favorite store? TJ Maxx HomeGoods. Holy moly I cannot stay out of that place. So much great stuff. I think I'll make a stop there today on my break...

Apples to Apples

Let's talk food.

Well, before I get into food, let me state that this is my first real attempt at blogging. Remember livejournal? I had one of those throughout high school, but I don't think that counts. And then I had another one of these which I wrote in and then deleted posts because they were too personal. But this won't be like either of those. What will it be? I guess we'll find out!

Anyway, here it goes!

It's finally feeling like autumn here in Atlanta. In fact, it seems like it turned autumn overnight. One day it was blistering hot, the next evening I'm having to throw on a hoodie to run to the car. But I don't mind. I think most women would agree that we love being able to wear leggings and tights and layers. Especially after enduring the southern heat for what seems like eternity. GIVE IT TO ME.

Along with the wonderful seasonal change, comes the introduction of, you guessed it, the pumpkin spice latte. Once the first cool breeze rolled in, all I heard was pumpkin this, and pumpkin that. Don't get me wrong, I can get down with some pumpkin pie and probably wouldn't turn down one of those lattes, but it seems a bit overload.

Enter my personal favorite autumn flavor... apple. Here is why apples kick pumpkins butt for me every time:

1. It is a cleaner transition into the seasons. Apples are just as much a cold weather thing as they are a warm weather thing.
2. Apples are so versatile! You can eat them raw, bake them into a pie, drink their juice (can you imagine pumpkin juice? gross), make them into a sauce, and sip on them as a cider. You can even add some spirits into that last one and hello!
   
3. They come in a variety of colors and flavors. My personal favorite is the granny smith apple dipped in yogurt. Yum!
4. I'm not sure about this one, but let's assume it's true that apples are nutritionally better for you than pumpkins.
   

So obviously apples rule and pumpkins drool. And there's that fun game I mentioned in the title, Apples to Apples. Although, I don't understand what apples actually have to do with the word game, just go with it.