A Thursdayish Wednesday

1. As of 8:19 AM, there have been no references made in this apartment to that stupid commercial with the camel going HUMP DAYYYYY.

2. I had the girls over for book club (we read Divergent!) and catching up on Monday night. It was all kinds of food and fun and awesome. I decided to gussy up our apartment with some pretty roses and spray roses for the occasion, and they are still blooming and making me smile.

3. I get to see my doctor today and hopefully she will give me the OK to slowly go back to work. All things considered, I think I am doing pretty well and I hope she does too. 

4. Finally fall weather?! Dude just walked out the door wearing an argyle sweater and it made my heart squish. It is 52 degrees outside. I'm a fan. 

5. I have been making a crazy amount of beaded/friendship bracelets since I had my surgery. Since I have what is politely termed "a restless mind," doing crafts and stuff with my hands is really soothing and fun for me. Here is the stack I wore to Dude's swearing in ceremony for the DC Bar. I am sure the DC Court of Appeals really appreciated it. (NOT) 

from left to right: Michael Kors rose gold watch, pink bracelet that I made, gold/gunmetal bracelet I made, Nepal beaded bracelet from South Moon Under (I have these in different colors and they are awesome), yellow bracelet that I made.

I'm thinking about opening a small Etsy shop and giving 50% of what I make to different aid organizations. One of my friends said the bracelets looked like something she would buy, so I might ask her over or to her neighborhood Starbucks--it's a really good one--to peruse what I've made thus far and offer feedback (no worries, K, I made lots more since Monday.) 

It's hard not to be a little excited when there's a chill (especially to my thin-blooded Florida self) in the air. Wishing you all a quick and easy Wednesday with limited amounts of the camel (unless you are in the repeat commercial viewing phase. I was there once, so no judgment.)

Sunday Ramblings

Ah, Sunday. Total bliss. Political talk shows. Waffles and iced coffee. Pinterest creeping. What could be better?

My sweet stepsister sent me and Dude a Macy's gift card. While looking around their website, I found some great iPhone cases on sale that make me want to bite the bullet and upgrade to an iPhone 5!

1 ($23.99), 2 ($7.99!), 3 ($24.99)

I miss Tahoe so much and I kind of want us to move there (really and truly; if we could both find jobs there, 
I would push for it super hard.) I know we are shadowy but this guy sure is adorable!

Nothing makes me more excited than a good fall adventure. I'm going to check out places within an hour or so of DC that are still kind of woodsy and different from the city. Something frugal where Dude can golf. He's been taking great care of me and is one of the main reasons I'm feeling as healthy as I do. I'll be sure to post good options that I find! 

These Things Don't Naturally Go Together, But That's OK

One of the best pieces of advice I have ever gotten. Employing it reduces my anxiety and helps me to be a more functional human being.

These Julie Vos acorn bracelets are amazing. I saw and loved her acorn rings on a Glitter Guide post and Googled "Julie Vos acorn," secretly hoping there would be a collection. AND THERE WAS! You can see it here.
I especially loved the bracelets--check out that stack of acorn bangles! I may or may not have asked Dude for one for Hanukkah/any other random occasion...I justified this move because I hacked off a chunk of my thumb making him a salad last night. (When my biography says "recently married and still learning the ropes," I am really not kidding.)

Acorn Bangle/Acorn Charm Bracelet

Speaking of Dude, he and I have decided to go to Florida to celebrate Hanukkah a few days after Thanksgiving, but we won't be home for the holiday itself. That leaves us with lots of options for the actual holiday, which is something that I'm excited about. All I know is that we won't be flying, and missing those Thanksgiving crowds that I have experienced basically every year since I went to college does not make me very sad.

Here's to a hump day that ends as sedately and nicely as possible!

Alumni Weekend Adventures

I wasn't sure if I'd feel good enough to be as active as I was this weekend, but I am very happy to say I was able to get out and about and enjoy a lot of GW's Alumni Weekend with some of my favorite people.

{at our sorority house} 

{at Sequoia for our 5 year reunion celebration...eek!}

{no, his 5 year reunion isn't for another year. ah, youth.}

One of my most favorite parts of the weekend was creeping around Dupont this morning with A. I LOVE when she visits and I got to spend more time with her than I'd expected to because I was feeling better. After Starbucks, she graciously accompanied me to the bead store and was the first visitor to our new apartment. 

{i may look weird but i don't care because i love her that much}

Dude and I are looking forward to Breaking Bad and Homeland tonight--and I'm cautiously optimistic about feeling even better in the week ahead.

Tidbits

These Wendy Mink bracelets. They are just fun and make me smile and I am so obsessed it hurts. 

left/right 

Can't wait to wear these spiky smoking loafers around town--I bought them with my mom so they are extra special. (Oh Nordstrom Rack, you get us every time.)

Add a basic black scarf/pashmina and black ballet flats to these affordable sweaters and gorgeous, wallet-friendly bag for a great early fall, easy-chic, running-around-town look. 

left/center/right

Inching Back

I'm back in our apartment following surgery #2. My mom was amazing and we stayed in a hotel together for the first couple of days after I had it--she took such good care of me and is currently puttering around/plotting to redecorate my apartment.
I am so antsy to do things but I physically can't. I know if I push myself too hard, I'll end up hurting myself and setting myself back. Right now, I'm looking forward to a couple of benign activities that will keep me occupied until I can work again.

Movie date at Hipster E Street Cinema with Dude and/or Myself:

(imdb)

(imdb)

Baking cookies for friends and work buddies: 

Creeping over to Beadazzled in Dupont Circle for supplies to make bracelets--I do really well with methodical tasks and am loving beaded bracelets lately, so I'm looking forward to playing around with them and hopefully making some holiday gifts.

I'm looking forward to posting more as I get better and hope everyone's week is going well!

Great People, Great Trip, Good State of Mind

Last weekend, Dude and I went to my friend J's beautiful wedding in La Vale/Cumberland, MD. I had never been up there before and I loved the area--hopefully, we'll be able to do some more exploring in the future!

I met J several years ago and it was amazing to celebrate with her and her family. They are so kind and made us feel so welcome. The reception was gorgeous and held in a museum. A bunch of us who work/have worked for the same company were able to hang out together and it was awesome.

This part is going to sound very sappy, but I really do believe that things happen for a reason. I met J after leaving a job that just wasn't right for me. I felt horrible about myself in a lot of different ways. Working with her allowed me to get myself back in a lot of ways--most of all, I became more confident in myself and what I am capable of doing. Some things really do come full circle, and it was terrific to be able to share in her and her new husband's special day. 

Of course, creeping on the centerpieces and all of J's great decorating touches was lots of fun too!

Yesterday, Dude and I celebrated three months of being married. So dorky, but I think it's still fun to count.

On our way home, we stopped off at a scenic overlook (part of Green Ridge State Forest) and it was amazing. 

One of the best part was finding a random squash/pumpkin garden on our way back to the car. What a great way to say hello to fall! 

I just started off the week by buying myself some monster fuchsia roses. I'm working part-time until my surgery towards the end of the month, so at least I don't feel like a total delinquent. My week in general will be some work, several doctor's appointments (gross but necessary) and more apartment prep. I want to pop some fun time with my friends in there too! Mentally, I am happy with where I am--and that is in large part due to the awesome friends and family in my life. Here's to a solid and fun week ahead!