Apologies & Annoucement

I know you all are probably sick and tired of reading my apologies for not posting more but I promise what I have been going through is huge.  My life as I know it is about to change.  Yes I'm dramatic but seriously it's about to change and it's all because......

I am expecting We are expecting our little bundle of joy early July 2014.  I wanted to wait until after the first trimester but my doctor says that everything looks fine so I decided to make the announcement earlier.  It just so happens that I came back from our vacation with a bigger souvenir than I expected.  

I'm currently 8 weeks along and super excited.  Dad is also excited and very anxious about us not living so far apart from one another (he currently lives 5 hours away).  So far the only symptoms I have are nausea, fatigue, and back pain.  All of which are very welcome as long as my little one is healthy.  

Soon I'll begin posting pictures to document the weeks to come.

Thanks for reading :)

XOXO

Vacation Files: The Whole Shebang

Well as you can tell I took full advantage of my vacation and once again neglected my blogging duties. I'm sorry but I really needed this vacation.

Well, my boyfriend along with his son went to Chicago to meet up with a few friends.  It was an awesome vacation except for one minor (Major!!!) problem.  I completely forgot to pack my makeup.  I was so upset and almost in tears because by the time I realized that I had no makeup we were too far along to go back.  However, I have an amazing boyfriend who immediately noticed that I was in distress (near tears) and he took his time (and money) and bought me some makeup.  He is truly an awesome guy.  Well other than that the vacation went very well.

We stayed for about 4 days and basically went sightseeing.  Nine times out of ten the most exciting portion of any vacation for me will be the food and this trip was no exception.  We went to Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Restaurant and of course after many recommendations we went to Giordano's Pizza.  When I say that you have no idea what deep dish pizza is until you try this pizza you have to believe me.  It was excellent.  Majority of our days were spent at the Navy Pier and if I wasn't such a loser I probably would have taken pictures.  I always forget to take pictures and it's such a shame.

Does anyone else have a problem with remembering to take pictures while on vacation?
For some odd reason I always forget and I get much too wrapped up in the moment.  I don't even take pictures of myself.  I'm such a loser. 

Pictures or no pictures the vacation was great.  After we left Chicago I stayed at my boyfriend's house for about 3 days just so that we could spend some much needed time together (we about 5 hours apart). It gave us some time to settle back into our normal routine as well.  Now it's back to work for the both of us.

The Vacation Files: The Prelude

So tomorrow marks the beginning of my week long vacation with my boyfriend and instead of relaxing and getting organized I decided to go to work.  Bummer....who does this?  I'm not sure why I would choose work of all places to go but here I am.

Now generally this would be a time of relaxation but of course for me it isn't.  I went into work because I know that someone will be covering for me but I would like my area to be as tidy and organized as possible.  I haven't packed because I need to get a few items out of storage and I also need to do my laundry.  Oh and I have to get an oil change before I leave.  I remember last week I was hoping that my vacation would get here quickly but now I just want time to slow down so that I can get these things done.  Oh and did I mention that I'm babysitting tonight.  All of this needs to be done by 9 am tomorrow.  Well it's not all bad.  I mean I'm doing these things so that I can have fun and relax.  This also serves as a lesson...planning is key.

Where do you guys think I'm going?

Stay tuned in for The Vacation Files:  Day One

Instagram Life & Update

Drive thru kickin' it

I have a massive addiction to these things.

this one though

Lamb+Spinach+Styrofoam=Fancy

At work and bored.

Breakfast of champions

I know that I haven't been blogging lately and I sincerely apologize.  I've been so preoccupied with work that I barely have time to sit down and write but what I have been doing is photographing.  Recently I've been on this huge Instagram kick and it's pretty nifty.  It's a great way for everyone to keep up with loved ones and friends without a lengthy status update or blog post.  

Check out my fabulous world

http://instagram.com/cest_ladee

This weekend my boyfriend and I are going on a little mini vacation.  I'll try to keep you all updated with photos and maybe a blog post or two.

Happenings This Weekend #2

As you all know I am currently on vacation but I am taking a little time to update you all on what has been going on while I've been on vacation.  My boyfriend and I departed for Florida on Saturday.  While the trip there was great when we got there Expedia conveniently (extreme sarcasm) decided that at that point they would contact us and let us know that something had gone wrong with the reservation.  Meaning that we would not be in the hotel that we wanted to be in.  This is after all monies had been paid.  We had planned to stay on the beach but instead we had to be moved to a hotel that was about 10 minutes away.  I generally do not partake in negative reviews but I definitely will not be utilizing Expedia again.  It may not have been Expedia's fault that there was in issue with the hotel but to tell us 30 minutes before check-in after claiming to have tried to contact us is not acceptable.

Well after we got to the hotel we decided to tidy up then go to the beach and it was amazing.  I loved it and I've said it many times but the beach is my favorite place to be during the summer.  It was absolutely amazing.  The guys played football on the beach while I relaxed, frolicked, and had a cocktail or two.  The view was breathtaking.  Then we went out to eat and partake in the festivities that night.  Yesterday we relaxed and went sightseeing.  I am definitely having fun and not looking forward to returning to work tomorrow.  Below are a few pictures that I took while on our adventure to the beach.

My swimsuit and messy hotel bed.

View on the beach

Amazing

Sunset..goodnight beach.

This Week In Retrospect: Adventure on the Horizon

As I stated in my post welcoming the summer season (It's Almost Here...) I will be going on vacation for a couple of days but don't worry I'll be sure to document every fun thing that I do and everything that I experience.  This week has definitely been very exciting and equally strenuous.  I've come upon a few new endeavors and I'm definitely finding my footing as it pertains to my career/blogging/relationships.  Here's what I've learned this week thus far:

• Making time for those you love keeps you grounded and sane.
• Sometimes you just have to step back and let things run their course.  Have faith.
• Hard work pays off. even if it isn't immediately, something great is just around the corner.
• When things are not adding up, you should try subtracting. 
• No more comparisons to others and their situations, I am my own biggest competition.
• I still like Vine more than Instagram video. I'm real I don't need a filter. J/K

So with that being said this Summer seems very promising.  I hope you all have a great first day of summer and an even better weekend.  Hopefully, I'll get to film and upload some video of this vacation.  Hasta luego, amigos.  

It's Almost Here...

What's almost here you say?  Well Summer of course.  June 21 marks to first day of Summer and I could not be more excited.   I know I say this all the time but the summer season is definitely my favorite of the four seasons.  This summer is going to be spectacular.  I have made up my mind to try new things and get out a little more.

• Take a vacation.  My summer is riddled with vacations and mini-vacations.  I am marking the first day of the summer season with a trip to Florida with my significant other.  I don't care if the vacation is in Mexico, in your backyard, or downtown to the local market.  Just get out relax and have fun.
• Get on the grill.  Nothing says summer like a good old fashioned cook out.  Even if there are only 4 people in attendance.  Break out the charcoal and fire that grill up.  Oh and send me an invitation.
• Read a book or two.  Just as I posted in my Poolside Classic Reading post I plan on getting a lot of reading in.  It helps me to relax. Anything from thrillers to children's books to romance novels is good in my eyes. 
• Try a new look.  I plan to incorporate bright colors and plenty of shorts.  If you know me then you know that this is completely out of my comfort zone.  Wear what you want and be confident doing it. 
• Protect yourself.  If I have to say it in every post I promise I will.  Please pretty please wear sunscreen. I don't care what color you are, what ethnicity you are, or what you may be accustomed to doing you need to wear sunscreen.  
  
• Shop the farmers market.  Yep it is probably one of my favorite places outside of the beach.  Fresh produce, busy setting, and some of the best desserts ever.  Plus you're supporting local farmers. 
• Take a class.  A ballet class, an art class, or maybe even a swimming lesson.  Keep your mind busy.  
• Spend time with others.  Nope not just a message on Facebook, I mean genuine face to face interaction.  It is amazing how technology has linked us to places that we could only dream of but has made us so distant in regards people that live 5 minutes away.  A text will not suffice, lets take some time to get to know one  another.

I'll keep everyone updated on my adventures and I hope everyone has a great summer or at least great plans.  What are some of the things you all are doing this summer?  Drop me a line I would love to know.