Remember when it was Memorial Day Weekend?

And remember when I stayed on top of blogging? Yeah, me neither. Ugh, maybe I have caught a case of spring fever but my head has been in the clouds. I feel like the students I counsel….totally counting down the last days of school, which is 16, but who really keeps track of that stuff. Anyway, finally getting around to sharing MDW pics which included a Mets game with the whole family (starting to be a new tradition), a friend's 30th birthday on the water at this fabulous restaurant, and some BBQ action at my parents house in the country. It couldn't have been a more perfect, and busy, weekend :)

Big apple home run. One of the first dates D ever took me on was to a Mets game (great seats behind the dug out) so we really was aiming to impress! So this holds a special place in our hearts.

I'm not sure this Corona is big enough. What do you think?

I guess we cleared out the whole nose bleed section, huh?

the moment we found out we were both Mets fan we knew it was true love.

We bonded over a lifetime of disappointment and losing. 

Me and my momma.

Bunch of crazzzzy people we are. And I love every second of it!

Like sister like brother I guess.

After the game, even though we were exhausted we headed to my friend's birthday where we, well…..had a blast. And maybe a few too many drinks too! 

Reminiscing and catching up with your girlfriends is sooooo necessary. 

Also went a little out of my comfort zone with my saturday night look. Sorry for the poor quality of this photo but I wanted to share my out of the ordinary (for me) look.

Because it rained at the Mets game, my hair was a hot mess when I got home. Rather than take on that nasty battle with my straightener, I decided to work with the natural texture (and the braid I had in all day) and I think it came out pretty cute.  I felt very Carrie Bradshaw….a little wild and sassy. And add the red lips and it was all over ;)

On Sunday I went home to PA to grill at my parents house. The boys played golf and the girls got manis and shopped. Just the way I like it!

Again, sorry for the lack of blogging. Once the school year comes to a close I hope to kick up my blogging like….full time! Stay tuned :)

xo Steph

9.11. Never Forget.

I'll never forget where I was that day. As a freshman in college on September 11, 2001 I was walking back to my dorm from my 8:00 philosophy class where I sat down on my bed and turned the TV on to see that one of the world trade towers were up in smoke. As I sat intently staring at the screen in disbelief, it wasn't long before I saw, live in real time, the second tower being hit by an airplane -- only later to watch both towers come crashing to the ground. I remember feeling terror, confusion, and disbelief of what I saw with my very own eyes. I also remember frantically thinking about if all my family is okay. My father at the time worked near the city so I worried for his immediate safety, as well as my mom and brother. I made phone calls and learned that everyone was alright -- but our nation was under attack, and what we were witnessing first hand were acts of terrorism.

 "The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead we have emerged stronger and more unified. We feel renewed devotion to the principles of political, economic, and religious freedom, the rule of law and respect for human life. We are more determined than ever to live our lives in freedom." -Rudolph Giuliani, former mayor of NYC

This is a pic of me last summer in front of the new Freedom Towers being built in place of the World Trade Towers. 
The skyline and parts of our hearts and sense of security will never be the same, 

but it's certainly the New, New York. And I love it just the same ; )

As we remember this solemn day I wanted to leave you a quote from Deepak Chopra:

"For me and my family personally, September 11 was a reminder that life is fleeting, impermanent, and uncertain. Therefore, we must make use of every moment and nurture it with affection, tenderness, beauty, creativity, and laughter." -Deepak Chopra

Live for the precious, present moment. Because tomorrow is uncertain.

9.11.01 we will never forget <3

xo Steph

Date Night Basket: A year of pre-planned dates.

So glad I finally got around to posting this before January ended. For Christmas because we didn't have much money, D and I decided we would have to make our gifts this year (tricky, I know). I decided to make him a date night basket with a year of pre-planned dates by me. All of which would be relatively cheaper (but more creative dates) since we're on a budget. This gift was really fun to make (and even more fun to use) and I plan on documenting the entire year of dates on the blog. 

So watch out for date night features each month as we go through our basket, and get inspired yourself to make a date night basket of your own for your hunnie!

The date night basket is a great gift for Valentine's day, anniversaries, or bridal shower gifts too!

D loved the idea (considering he is usually the one to plan our dates and do all the romantic things) and I had so much fun putting together a years worth of creative (and affordable dates). Not to mention it's a secret to D each month what we're doing -- so it definitely lends itself to creating excitement and anticipation. 

For January, I decided it would be fun to recreate the day we met, which was a cold January day in which we went bowling. Yup, you heard me. Bowling. 

The irony here is I am terrible at bowling, but as fate would have it, we both joined the same bowling team 3 years ago for something fun to do on a random Wednesday night. And the rest is history!

Each month I also included a second bonus date option that we could go on (in addition to the first date) if we feel like we have extra money to spend that month. For January, it was making pottery at this cool place where I grew up and going snow tubing. We haven't gone on the bonus date yet - but since January is pretty much over, I might make an exception and let us do it next month!

pics of his January date night invitation -- 

and now on to pictures of the date!

Although I wanted to really recreate the first date we met (complete at the ghetto bowling ally where we met) D thought it would be fun if we went into the city and bowl at one of those fancy/night club like bowling places. While this defeated the purpose of saving money -- omg this place Frames in New York's Port Authority is expensive, I mean they call it a bowling lounge -- I loved the idea so we went with. 

And this is why I love him!

Here's us in the freezing cold waiting for the bus into the city. 

Which by the way, got lost on the 15 minutes it should take to get there.

this place was definitely MUCH nicer that where we used to go....

it even had fancy food and drink menus with all kinds of artisan food. Smoked salmon while bowling?

interesting.

We settled for pizza, chicken fingers and hummus. 

us being silly.

cheers!

cutie.

And this picture. This picture is taken from the day we met, three years ago. Who is lucky enough to say they actually have a picture of the first day they met? 

I love this, and I love how awkward and young we look.

I also love how this kid put his arm around me trying to make a move!

Very presumptuous Mr. D! ; )

And three years later. We thought it would be fun to wear the exact same t-shirts we wore.

Because we're dorky like that.

Do you like the idea of creating a Date Night Basket?

Stay tuned for February's date night on the blog: coming soon! xo

-Steph