Happy New Year! 2018

Happy New Year, Loyal Readers! I hope you all had wonderful and eventful evenings last night filled with booze and fun and crazy shenanigans. Mr. Handsome and I went to a party, came home at 10:45pm to walk the dog, and were in bed by 11:30pm. #MarriedGoals #Adulting #PB&Jealous

Last year, I made several New Years Resolutions...

1) Read more books
2) Get finances in order
3) Spend anniversary in Napa & Sonoma
4) Create a signature drink with Mr. Handsome
5) Write a will

I am pleased to say that I accomplished ALL (in some form or another) of my 2017 resolutions! I read a couple dozen books, invested some money, went to CA for our anniversary, created a special drink called "The Spider," and drafted a last will & testament.

For 2018, I am making only one New Years Resolution... Write A Book! That's right, I'm doing it! Not sure if it's going to be a children's book, a short story or a legitimate YA or fiction novel, but I plan to finish a piece of writing this year. DREAM BIG!

And now, it's time to deny the fact that we're going back to work tomorrow. Happy 2018!

Thoughts on Thirty #30

Today is a big day, loyal readers. Today, I turn 30 years old. 30 FREAKING YEARS OLD!

To be honest, I'm a little nervous about entering a new decade. Mostly because I feel old. Old as the tomato Mr. Handsome bought and never ate that's rotting in our refrigerator. (She types while pulling out a gray hair).

A dear friend of mine was born one day before me, and she is embracing 30 with full force. Ergo, I'm going to take a page of out her book and write a post about being grateful for what I accomplished in my 20's, and a list of goals and what I'm most looking forward to about my 30's!

My 20's (2007 - 2017) - Accomplishments

• I both started and graduated from college
• I met, fell in love with, and married Mr. Handsome
• I traveled to fantastic places like Ireland, London, Paris, Seattle, Austin, Toronto, Charleston, New Orleans, Chicago, San Francisco and Harry Potter World, (just to name a few)
• I adopted a dog
• I've volunteered for 4+ years at a nearby animal shelter
• I've worked at two different full-time jobs and started developing my career
• I passed both my CBS Cicerone Exam and my Introductory Sommelier Exam
• I've read dozens and dozens of wonderful books
• I ran two full marathons and at least a dozen half-marathons
• I bought a condo

My 30's (2017 - 2027) - Goals

• I would love to finish writing a book and get it published, either by self-publishing it online or getting a book deal with a publisher
• I would like to try to start a family with Mr. Handsome - MAKING BABIES!
• I would like to get my finances in order and start saving for retirement
• I would like to upgrade my wardrobe and develop a better fashion sense
• I would like to continue eating healthy and taking care of my body
• I would like to run at least one more full marathon
• I would like to read more. So many books, so little time!
• I would like to continue my wanderlust and take many, many more trips and vacations
• I would like to make an official will, heaven forbid!
• I would like to continue having cooking adventures and discovering new recipes.
• I would like to continue developing relationships with my friends and family, treat them well and treasure the time we spend together

As many wise men and women have said before... Cheers to 30!

One Feisty Meadow

Happy Friday, Loyal Readers! Today marks the 2 month, 1 day anniversary of a very special event. On June 17th, Mr. Handsome and I became parents! Doggy parents, that is... (obviously)...


Meet Meadow! Our crazy little pup. She's a 2 year-old Feist Mix that we adopted from the animal shelter I volunteer for on the weekends. Her favorite activities are chewing the heads off her toys, eating everything in sight, sniffing during walks and snuggling on the couch.


As a rescue pup with a questionable past, she's a bit of a nervous Nellie, so we're trying to keep things calm and relaxing at home so she can settle into her new environment. That involves lots of naps in her crate, keeping her on a tight feeding and walking schedule, training her every day and giving her plenty of belly rubs.


You can follow our little goober on Instagram @onefeistymeadow


Woof! Woof!

Picking dem Bones...

I’ve been dealt a good hand in this life and know that I am a very, very lucky lady.

That being said, I have a few bones to pick with the world this week. Here are my bones…

1.      I’ve been binge watching Dawson’s Creek re-runs on Freeform.com in the late evenings. (Mostly because I’m too scared to binge watch The Walking Dead when I’m alone and it’s scary and dark outside). ANYWAY - One of the best things about Dawson’s Creek is the catchy theme song… “I Don’t Want To Wait, for our LIIIVEEEESS to be OVVERRR…,” am I right!? I’m right. So then WHY on EARTH did they change the theme song for the re-runs streaming on TVs around the world? I’m heartbroken, and the new song really sucks. 

2.      What do all of these locations have in common?... Front porches, back porches, dive bars, outside of restaurants, in your own car, in your own home, in your best friend’s basement when his parents are asleep... I’ll tell you what they have in common: They are all great places to smoke! That’s right. There is a list of great places to smoke, and I just made it. You know what place ISN’T on that list? Running and Biking Trails. Dear Smokers, Please DO NOT smoke cigarettes, cigars, joints, etc. on running and biking trails. It both aggravates and infuriates the athletes. Please, let us workout in peace.

3.      I’ve had my fair share of flight delays and cancellations in this lifetime. I’ve also had my fair share of medical emergencies on flights, mechanical errors, and crew mistakes that have derailed my travel plans. If there is a tornado or hurricane outside of the airport, then YES, you can delay my flight and not refund my voyage. But if my flight gets cancelled because there aren’t enough crew members for the plane, then OH-MY-GOSH how can you NOT refund me for that trip? An airline mistake that causes me to miss my cousin’s wedding? I want my money back! And that FAA regulation-sized suitcase I bought online... Do NOT make me check that bag!

4.      One thing that brings me joy in this life is alcohol. A few days a week, this girl loves to have a glass of wine. It’s a relaxing, enjoyable and social ritual that I find absolutely delightful. So why, oh WHY does alcohol have to have calories? Depending on the beverage, two drinks can quickly add up to 300 calories or more. To burn that off, you’d have to run an additional 3 miles. What the heck!? If scientists can invent a calorie-free alcoholic beverage that doesn’t cause hangovers, I’d immediately order a case… or five.

Hmmm, I feel better now that I’ve vented. Consider my bones picked!

Le Television

Television: It brings us such joy. There was a recent article in the Washington Post about how amazing a woman's life became when she gave up TV for a year. I say NONSENSE! My only words for that woman are "You Do You, Girl."

I am QUITE productive outside of TV-land, but love to get lost occasionally in some of the stories and plots that Hollywood has graciously produced for our amusement. Over the years, there have been a number of TV shows that have served me as a great source of comfort and/or welcome escape from reality. Here's a list of some of my favorites.

1) Gilmore Girls - Once you're introduced to the charming, eccentric town of Stars Hollow, you'll never look back.

2) Greek - It's fun to relive college through the eyes of the sororities and fraternities at Cypress Rhodes University.

3) Friends - What famous TV show quotes did NOT come from Friends? Answer: Very few.

4) Sabrina the Teenage Witch - Growing up, I loved watching Sabrina's life unfold every Friday night on TGIF.

5) Boy Meets World - Oh Cory, Oh Tapanga. Oh Sean, Oh Angela. You showed me what true friendship was really about.

6) Once Upon A Time - The perfect show for any Disney fan! Watch your favorite fairy tales come to life in Storybrook, Maine.

7) Grey's Anatomy - Every woman alive wanted to be Meredith Grey at one point in time.

8) The O.C. - Ryan Atwood and Seth Cohen, the OG's of our teenage hearts

9) Orange is the New Black - Watching OITNB always makes me grateful I'm not in women's prison.

10) Shameless - The Gallagher family never fails to entertain.

Get out there any live your lives! But when you need a break every now and then, enjoy binging on your favorite TV shows.

"The Cleanse"

Hello, loyal readers! I've come here today to write about the concept of a "cleanse," or elimination of certain foods in order to feel like a weightless goddess. It's a topic I've both written about and experimented with before. A few years ago, I attempted to do a 3-day fruit and vegetable cleanse. (It was supposed to be a week-long cleanse, but I couldn't fathom the idea of eating nothing but fiber for 7 days). ANYWAY, I got half-way through breakfast on cleanse day #1 when I decided I wanted a big bowl of cereal... and scrambled eggs. Hence, end of cleanse.

There is something incredibly sexy about the idea of a cleanse. You believe that monitoring what you eat for a certain period of time will make you the beautiful, skinny embodiment of health. In some cases, this is in fact the case, and a cleanse will leave you with an abundance of energy, clear skin, flatter tummy and newfound appreciation for produce. Other times, cleanses will make you hangrier than a Basic B who was too busy to go to brunch with her squad.

I have yet to successfully complete a cleanse. (My four long years as a vegan aside). After much thought and deliberation, I think there are two main reasons for my failure... 1) FOMO... 2) Hypoglycemia. If I see a cookie, want the cookie, and don't let myself have the cookie, I get very upset. No, I don't want to eat seven cookies, I just want ONE! And not letting myself have that one cookie is devastating for everyone involved. Additionally, limiting calories or only allowing myself to eat a certain number of meals per day leaves me shaky, weak and full of anger and anxiety.

Maybe someday I will successfully complete "Whole 30," or will only eat colorful produce for a number of days. Until then, I will continue eating as healthy as possible... but won't deny myself the occasional cookie. Balance, variety and flexibility!

January is OVER... Rejoice!

Hello, Loyal Readers! So far, it has been a very interesting 2017. The politics in Washington have been an absolute mess... and horribly entertaining... and disappointing. Mr. Handsome and I went on a cruise to the Bahamas where I was able to frolic with a flamboyance of pink flamingos. We also went to NYC to see an amazing musical my father-in-law wrote. (How cool is that!?) I've spent most of my evenings binge watching Shameless. (If you haven't watched it yet, stop reading this post and go watch it now). And I've spent most of my weekends trying to stay warm while visiting wineries around Northern Virginia. Glug, Glug!

January is always the hardest month of the year for me. It's tough going back to work after the holidays are over and you have to put away the tree and stockings and cookies and carols. It's mind numbing driving to the office when it's dark, and driving home when it's even darker. (Sad Whimper)

BUT- It's February now, and ALL IS WELL! Valentine's Day is right around the corner and we've had a few beautiful 60 and 70 degree days this past week. I have two work trips coming up to Chicago and San Diego which should be very entertaining... and boozy. I'm planning more fun winery and brewery trips this month and just started studying up on the Whole 30 diet, which Mr. Handsome and I are talking about trying in March. (Wish us luck!)

I hope you all are having a fabulous and adventurous 2017, and may you have a romantic and/or scandalous Valentine's Day next week. Cheers!

Happy New Year! 2017

Happy New Years Eve, loyal readers! It's been a wild and crazy 2016. Mr. Handsome and I took a number of fabulous vacations, and we tied the knot in June to officially become Mr. and Mrs. Personally, it has been a momentous year for this optimistic blogger.

Unfortunately, politics around the world were an absolute mess, and peace on earth is becoming a harder and harder goal to achieve. But through all the hard times, we must tread on and hope for the best in the future.

Each year I like to publish an "In and Out" list to review what I believe is "HOT" and "What's Not" in our modern world of wonders. I also like to set New Years resolutions for the year to come. Unlike most humans, I like to set achievable New Years resolutions; ones that I'm pretty much guaranteed to achieve so that I won't feel terrible about myself and feel buckets self-loathing at the end of the year.

My New Years resolution for 2016 was simply to cook more often. And luckily for me, I got tons of pots, pans and nifty appliances at the wedding that helped me achieve my goal! Below are pictures of just some of the delicious meals I made in 2016...

In 2017, I'm stepping up my game and setting TWO resolutions...

ONE: Read more books

TWO: Get my finances in order

I have a list of 27 books that I'd like to tackle. I realistically know that reading ALL of them will never happen, but I would like to finish as many as possible next year. I've also been meaning to get my finances in order for years, so I'm finally saying that 2017 will be the year! YAY GOALS!

And now, the infamous "In and Out" list...

What's HOT?

Vacations to Iceland, Germany & Cuba

Heavy, Hearty & Spiced Craft Beers

Leather Jeggings

Hygge

Silver, Gold and Chrome

Puppies dressed as BB8 and R2D2

What's NOT?

Wine served in anything but wine glasses

U.S. Politics and everything and everyone involved

Peasant Sleeves

Crossfit

Neon

Puppies dressed like other animals

I wish you all a very, very Happy New Year. Bring it on, 2017!

Happy Early Thanksgiving!

Hello, loyal readers! It's the Sunday before Thanksgiving, so I hope you all have started cutting back in preparation of stuffing your faces this upcoming Thursday. Thanksgiving is almost here, and what a great holiday it is! You get to wake-up and watch an awesome parade, followed by a hearty meal, pie, lots of alcohol, pie, and wholesome family drama. If you're like me and Mr. Handsome, you'll be squeezing a killer long run into your schedule before the parade. This year will be our 4th annual Thanksgiving Tofurkey Trot. GOBBLE GOBBLE!

In honor of the upcoming holiday, I thought it would be nice to post a heart-felt yet semi-sarcastic list of the things I'm grateful for this year. I listed 11 things, because that's my lucky number, and I thought any more than that would be obnoxious.

1) I'm not planning a wedding this year. THANK GOD! Been there, done that.

2) Mr. Handsome, and his acceptance of my silly quirks and oddities.

3) Pinot Noir

4) My Job. Many people don't have them, and mine's pretty great. I'm very lucky.

5) Having family live locally, so we don't have to battle crowds at the airports over the holidays.

6) Air-conditioning and central heating... I don't understand how our ancestors survived without it.

7) Craft Beer

8) Netflix

9) Running, and that I'm blessed with the health and ability to do it.

10) Justin Timberlake... Because he brought sexy back.

11) Summer, because winter is freaking cold.

Tell me, what are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Richmond Birthday + Race Funzies!

Hello, Loyal Readers! Today is November 13th, meaning my birthday was two days ago. YAY! I am officially 29 years old. (And I swear, it was my first 29th birthday.... Not my 3rd, not my 12th, my FIRST 29th birthday)

Truth be told... I absolutely love birthdays. Birthdays are day-long events thrown in your honor where everyone is nice to you, buys you gifts, shoves alcohol at you, does any crazy activity you want and pays for food from restaurants that you choose. What is NOT to love!?

For my birthday, I was treated to filling meals at some AWESOME restaurants! My co-workers took me for tasty ramen near the office, my parents devoured amazing Greek tapas with me in DC, and some friends took me out for upscale pizza and pasta in Richmond. Mr. Handsome was best of all, taking me for a lovely birthday walk to our neighborhood bakery and dog park, treating me to drinks and food at amazing breweries and restaurants in Richmond, and being my #1 spectator at the half-marathon I ran Saturday. He also bought me a new Fit-Bit, (rose gold, to match my new iPhone, obvi), which should be arriving next week.

I am absolutely stuffed from all the food and beer, and am ridiculously sore from PR'ing in the half-marathon, (smirkity smirk), but am so looking forward to another birthday in exactly 363 days. #30andFabulous

Nickary's European Honeymoon (Bonjour! Cheerio!)

Happy Monday, loyal readers! I hope you all are doing well. I myself am doing splendidly! Mr. Handsome and I finally went on our romantic European honeymoon last week. (Only 3 1/2 months late). We took a running leap and hopped across the pond to spend eight days skipping around London and Paris.

We started the trip with a red eye flight to London, which I highly recommend NOT doing. Sitting upright in coach and trying to sleep is virtually impossible. However, we pushed through our first day in LONDON BABY and ended up spending three wonderful days taking a river cruise down the Thames, running around Hyde Park, enjoying High Tea at Kensington Palace, going on a Muggle Tour through the city, eating great Thai and Indian food, bike riding all through the city, walking across Abbey Road, drinking lots of beer and devouring fish and chips.

After we couldn't drink any more beer, we hopped on the Eurostar Train next to King's Cross Station, (yes, we stopped at Platform 9 3/4), and took the 2 1/2 hour ride to Paris! We stayed in a lovely hotel room with a little window nook where we ate our morning croissants. We climbed all 400 steps to the top of Notre Dame and walked our way through Centre Pompidou, Musee d'Orsay and the Picasso Museum. We did a bike tour through the city to see beautiful famous sites like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, and stuffed our faces with duck, fois gras, escargot, steak frites, baguettes, macarons and bottles of wine. We also walked through the gardens of beautiful Versailles and took a romantic boat cruise down the Seine.

If it seems like we had a packed week in Europe, you're right. WE'RE EXHAUSTED! But it was totally worth it. I feel so culturally alive and educated! I learned a little French, ate some incredible food, saw several famous landmarks and made lasting memories with Mr. Handsome. But for now... Bonjour! Cheerio!

Pre-Honeymoon Post

TGIF, loyal readers! I hope you're doing well on this fine Fall Friday. Exactly one week from today, Mr. Handsome and I will finally be flapping away on a jet plane to embark on a great adventure... our HONEYMOON! (Only 114 days after the big day. We like being fashionably late)...


We will be flapping all the way to London and Paris to spend a week doing nothing but eating, drinking and being cute little American tourists who don't speak French. (Forgive us, kind Parisians. We apologize in advance). We were talking about the honeymoon last night over a delightful frozen pizza and discussed what we were most looking forward to about our trip.


We both agreed that we were most excited for the food... (Does that make us fat?)... and all of the French wine and London ales we're going to drink... (I swear, we are NOT alcoholics!)


We're also super excited to see the Eiffel Tower, sit at Parisian cafes sipping coffee and eating croissants and macaroons, watch little French puppies walk by wearing berets, listen to everyone's "Cheerio" accent in London, have a luxurious High Tea at Kensington Palace and finally see Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station!


The above listed items are our EXPECTATIONS for what we'll encounter in both cities. It's interesting how one's thoughts of what a trip is going to be like measure up against what you actually encounter during your visit. We can't wait to see if the London Eye really only has one eye, and whether or not Madeline really is smaller than all the other little girls. Silly little Madeline...


Until the "Post-Honeymoon" Post, we wish you Au Revoir and Cheerio! Tootles, loyal readers! (Flap, Flap)

Words To Live By...

Some wise and sage advice from a cute little bird on a sailboat nest...

In Vino Veritas... #SOMM

August 7th and August 8th were jam-packed days full of lectures, PowerPoints and tons and tons of wine. YES, that's right. My industry is better than yours. I spent 7:30am-6:00pm Sunday and 7:30am-7:00pm Monday taking the Level 1 Master Sommelier Class and Examination.

The class was at a hotel in DC and was taught by 5 Master Sommeliers. For weeks beforehand, I spent endless hours studying for the class and exam. I memorized the 1st growth Chateaus of Bordeaux, the main wine-growing regions of South Australia, and the current number of operating vineyards in Napa County, (+420!)... We got to taste and analyze 22 different wines and use the Deductive Tasting Method to try and figure out their grape variety, growing region and varietal. (I totally nailed the 2014 Sancerre from the Loire Valley in France!)

AND.... I PASSED! I was given this nifty certificate and cute little SOMM pin. I am going to frame it and treasure it forever. I am also going to wear the pin everywhere for the rest of my life. I took my glass of celebratory champagne, poured it straight down my throat and then went home to burn my Course Workbook and 265-page study guide... (Just kidding... I recycled it like a good Millennial)

After weeks of studying, I'm so happy the class is over! I can now spend my evenings watching the 2016 Rio Olympics, planning my honeymoon.... and blogging.

Cheers!

6.4.16... BEST DAY EVER! #Nickary

MARCH 27TH!!??... GASP!!

That was my reaction when I realized I hadn't blogged in almost three months. THREE MONTHS! Wow, that's embarrassing. Sorry, loyal readers! I have been neglecting you. However, I hope that my excuse is acceptable...

I GOT MARRIED!

On June 4th, 2016, Mr. Handsome and I tied the knot at a beautiful, picturesque winery in Loudoun County, Virginia. It was, unquestionably, one of the best days of my life. Having all of our family and friends gathered together in one place to celebrate our love was overwhelmingly special. The weather threatened to storm but gave us sunny skies the entire day. Thirteen months of planning finally came together to be a perfect, memorable occasion.

The booze were flowing, the dance floor was hopping and the conga lines were processing all around the venue! The flowers were beautiful, the food was delicious and the speeches were heart-warming. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect wedding.

We now have a few months of summer bliss before our honeymoon in September. I'm going to distract myself from post-wedding blues by studying for a big test at work and planning for some fun upcoming trips to Asheville, NC and New York City.

Here are some pictures from our Big Day. Enjoy!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, Loyal Readers! The Lord is Risen, and we are all expected to stuff our faces with Peeps, chocolate eggs, and jelly beans. Alleluia! Unfortunately, I've been too old for an Easter basket for many years now.

Holidays like Easter make me nostalgic for childhood. They make me remember back to grade school when my biggest worries were whether or not I'd pass a spelling test, or whether I had enough Beanie Babies. (NOTE: I had WAY too many Beanie Babies).

Of all the experiences, events, and items from my childhood, here is a list of things that I am most nostalgic for...

1) Summer Vacation -I fondly remember waking up late, hanging with my friends at the pool, heading to the beach with my family, and having sleepovers on weeknights... WEEKNIGHTS! No worries, no cares, no problems.

2) Camp - I went to sleep-away camp for a month every summer on a beautiful lake in South Carolina. It was the ultimate definition of fun! I made so many great friends, got to sail on the lake every day, and got to eat S'Mores until I barfed. OH camp :)

3) Nickelodeon, Disney Movies, TGIF - Rugrats, Hey Arnold, Hey Dude!, Salute Your Shorts, Rocko's Modern Life, ALL That, Kenan and Kel, Doug, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Boy Meets World, Clarissa Explains it All, Mulan, Beauty and the Beast.... Need I say more?

4) Snacks - Dunkaroos, Squeeze-Its, Trix shaped like ACTUAL fruit, Yogurt with sprinkles, Oatmeal with Dinosaur eggs, Lunchables, Fruit by the Foot, Hi-C juice boxes, Warheads.... The list goes ON! We had so many great processed snacks packed with sugar and deliciousness. I'm currently snacking on baby carrots, and I'm dying a little inside.

5) Music - N'SYNC, Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, Hanson, LFO, Mariah Carey, Shania Twain, Ricky Martin, Spice Girls.... I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want!

6) Other - Mancala (the game with gem stones), Skip-It, Tamagotchis, Easy Bake Oven, Kid Pix, Book Fair pamphlets, Pogs, Magic Eye books, Polly Pocket, American Girl Dolls, Beanie Babies. Limited Too..... Do you want to go back to the 90's yet? I FREAKING DO!

I WANT MY CHILDHOOD BACK! But... On the other hand, there are a few things from 2016 that I wouldn't trade for anything. The list is short, but it is very important...

1) Mr. Handsome
2) Smartphones
3) Alcohol.... (Especially alcohol with BACON!)

Cheers to Adulthood, Loyal Readers!

PRESENTS!

Happy Daylight Savings, Loyal Readers! I hope you all set your clocks ahead this morning. If not, please proceed to your alarm clock now, or else tomorrow morning will be an unpleasant surprise.

According to our wedding website, Mr. Handsome and I are getting married in 83 days! (OH-MY-GOD). There is LOTS to do before our big day, but we're right on schedule according to my extremely OCD task spreadsheet.

As we get closer to the wedding, the presents are starting to arrive! And if there's one thing I love, it's presents. The fact that people take the time and spend the money to buy you something and ship it to you is so touching. (Sniff, Sniff)... 

One of the gifts we received is a new WAFFLE MAKER! We were so freaking excited that we made waffles the very next morning. How amazing do these look!? #WafflingLikeABoss

Another gift we received is a brand new comforter for our bed! It's a beautiful hypo-allergenic down comforter than totally classes up our bedroom. Mr. Handsome did an immediate face plant on it yesterday and proceeded to take a nap... (NOTE: The panda you see in the background is Mr. Cookie, a very important member of our family)

We're looking forward to all the wedding adventures (and awesome presents) to come!

Attack of SNOWZILLA!

Hello, loyal readers! How's it going? If you live anywhere near me, it's likely you're cold and stuck inside because of the 2-3 feet of snow piled high outside your door. It is official... Snowzilla has fallen, frozen, and utterly conquered the DC Metro area.

Mr. Handsome and I tried to shovel our cars out yesterday afternoon. After one hour of shoveling, we had unearthed about 1/3 of our cars, so we gave up an went inside to drink more booze. When I went outside a few hours later, the cars were completely covered again... Snowzilla: 1; Humans: 0

We also spent about 30 minutes shoveling our balcony yesterday. Today, there is a fresh foot of snow out there waiting to be shoveled again... Snowzilla: 2; Humans: 0

We decided that we needed a hearty meal after all that shoveling. ERGO, I made these amazing Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups! (NOM, NOM, NOM). My News Years Resolution of cooking more home-cooked meals is well underway, chillies!

On the down side, I probably won't be able to make it to the gym today due to my invisible, snow-covered car. I'm definitely getting a little antsy sitting at home. (She says while Googling "How to do cardio at home with no equipment")

Until further notice, I'll be hanging here at home with my BFF Olaf. Stay warm, folks!

Happy New Year! #2016

Happy New Year, loyal readers! 2105 was definitely an amazing year. I got engaged, bought a condo, went on 19 (yes, 19) crazy trips and vacations, and managed to increase my alcohol tolerance to college-level status. It's been quite an adventure!

Per tradition, I'd like to post today about several year-end topics.... 1) My personal 2016 IN/OUT List, 2) 2016 New Years Resolutions, 3) Books I read in 2015...

My Personal 2016 IN/OUT List

Out: Cozying up by the fire with cocoa

In: Holidays in shorts with margaritas

In DC this Christmas, the average temperature was 70 degrees. No coats, no mittens, no problems! I went for an 18-mile bike ride with Mr. Handsome in shorts and a t-shirt. May the warm weather continue into the new year! #ElNino #GlobalWarmingLove

Out: NOT carrying my favorite illy coffee beverage

In: Stocking my illy drink like milk and toilet paper before a blizzard!

Over the last few weeks, I've noticed that my favorite bottled coffee beverage has been out of stock at most convenience store locations. In 2016 I expect this sugary, yet not overly-caloric beverage to be on every shelf at every store! 

Out: Spandex

In: Fashionable Sweat Pants

Lounge spandex, (with the exception of some funky-patterned designs), are fading out. BUT, here's the thing... I bought 10+ pairs of spandex over the last 2-3 years. Unfortunately for my wardrobe, I'm going to continue wearing my spandex until they split from overuse. ERGO, I'll buy one pair of fashionable sweat pants to wear to the grocery store. But 90% of the time... I'm still rocking the spandex.

Out: Nerdy Hipsters

In: Grungy Hipsters

Large glasses, neon colors, and excessive iPod use are SO out. In their place, expect grungy hipsters who don't shower, listen to much darker rock music, wear lots of black clothing, rock the dreadlocks, and grow even larger, unkempt brewer's beards. #GROSS

Out: “Netflix and Chill”

In: Netflix socks that turn off your show when you fall asleep

We all know the 2015 fad dubbed "Netflix and Chill" (AKA- "Netflix and BANG"). That's great and all, but check out the cool new Netflix socks that pause your show when you fall asleep! Technology, you are beautiful. Read about the socks HERE

Out: Spending lots of money eating out at restaurants

In: Cooking at home like a boss

An average dinner at a moderately-priced restaurant will cost $40 dollars. That's almost as much as I spend on groceries each week. What a TOTAL waste of money. Which brings me to the next section of today's post...

2106 New Year's Resolutions

In 2015, my New Year's resolutions were to... 1) Complete a dietary cleanse, 2) Whiten my teeth, 3) Open and use my Crockpot...

1) I "sort of" completed a dietary cleanse this year. The goal was to eat nothing but fruits and vegetables for 7 days. I ate nothing but fruits for 3 hours. Cleanses are stupid.

2) I DID buy Target brand white strips and used them for a week to whiten my teeth! Next time, (before the wedding), I'm splurging on name brand strips for extra whiteness.

3) I finally used my Crockpot 2 days ago! #LastMinuteSuccess... Check out the amazing chicken tacos I made using our Crockpot...

In 2016, my one resolution is to cook more often. I'm going to try to make amazing meals like the chicken tacos above, and the skinny shrimp scampi I made tonight... #NYE #NOM

2015 Books

In 2014 I successfully read 24 books. My goal for 2015 was to read even MORE books. I fell short due to the fact that I was way too busy. I read a total of 19 books in 2015. In 2016, I'm going to try and beat 24 again! #BookWorm... Here's a list of the books I read in 2015. My top three favorites are bolded and starred*

BOOK AUTHOR Windows On The World Complete Wine Course Kevin Zraly Game of Thrones Book #5 George R R Martin Chasing Harry Winston Lauren Weisberger Born to Run Christopher McDougall The English Patient Michael Ondaatje The Queen of Subtleties Suzannah Dunn Family Pictures Jane Green The Art of American Whiskey Noah Rothbaum A Bend in the Road Nicholas Sparks The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Rebecca Skloot The Winter People* Jennifer McMahon The United States of Craft Beer Jess Lebow Left Bank Kate Muir An Abundance of Katherines* John Green The One and Only Emily Giffin Me and Mr. Darcy Alexandra Potter The Elements of Style Wendy Wasserstein One Summer David Baldacci The Kitchen House* Kathleen Grissom Overall, 2015 was an incredible year! I can't wait to see what 2016 will bring.