#leatherandlacepartyoftwo

My birthday celebrations tend to be low-key. This year, Mom and I are celebrating with our trip to Florida this week, I did get the opportunity to spend a weekend in December with my best friend. Our birthdays are 3 weeks apart, and since she moved back to VA, we knew that we needed to do something big. We planned a super fabulous special weekend in NYC, and it was perfect.

After working a ridiculous shift on Friday, I flew home to start my weekend. We headed to pick up our latest foster dog, Maddie (who has already been adopted!!!).

We freshened up, and headed out with my Mama for margaritas at a local Mexican restaurant. It was so nice to spend some time with two of my favorite ladies, drink some amazing margaritas, and share table-made guacamole. Maybe a few too many margaritas had been consumed, because after dinner, there may have been a little bit of playtime in a manger.

Clearly we were in bed early, and up ready to start our celebrations on Saturday. We spent the morning running errands, and searching for the perfect pair of heels for my dress (would you believe that until Saturday morning, I did not own a single pair of heels? Yeah, I know)! I lucked out with a $17 pair of nude Tahari heels. They were perfect.

Anyway...

We booked hair appointments at drybar, packed our bags, and headed into the city.

We stayed at Park South Hotel on 28th between Park and Lex. It was located on the same block as the 6 train, so it was more than convenient. We had booked a King room, but were immediately upgraded to a Junior King Suite upon check-in. What a great way to kick off the evening! After picking up some sustenance and coffee, we headed down to Union Square for our drybar appointments. I hate blow-drying my hair, so this place was right up my alley. I looked through the "menu" and decided on the "Mai Tai." About 45 minutes later, my hair was perfectly beachy and I was so excited to begin the rest of our night!

We left drybar and kept pushing back our dinner reservations because we were just having too much fun playing around, enjoying our hotel room, and getting all pretty. We got all dolled up and grabbed a cab uptown (to some restaurant that I honestly cannot even remember the name of...). The food was delicious, but I still just keep thinking of the awkward couples that were dining close enough to us that we could listen to every.single.word that they said.

When we finished dinner, we headed back downtown for drinks at Beauty and Essex. This place had an amazing atmosphere, and the drink menu was something out of the ordinary! Next time we have a weekend in the city, we will definitely be making it a priority to get dinner reservations there. I have absolutely zero pictures from the rest of the weekend, because all of them were taken on SnapChat and are sadly gone forever. I wish that someone had screenshotted half of what I sent them, because they were absurd. After Beauty and Essex we headed to a bar that I can only describe as a Bulgarian club with the weirdest decor ever. Naked women all over the walls, and I mean pictures and sculptures.

On our way back to the hotel, we made friends with some random guys and shared a bag of goldfish. Our hotel happened to be right next to McDonalds (convenient, right?). The night ended with happy meals in our king sized bed watching reruns of TV. I don't know if I was more proud of myself for making it back to the hotel with all of my belongings, or for staying up until 4am. Either way, the night was a blast.

It was only fitting that on Sunday morning when we woke up it was pouring down rain. After trekking too many blocks to a bagel shop, we were soaking wet, a little hungover, and ready for a nap. I made it the whole way back to Grand Central and fell asleep on the train ride home. Sunday was certainly a day of recovery, and just another reminder that I am not, in fact, still in college.

Weekend Shenanigans!

This last week has been a blur. I blogged right before Christmas about my awful attitude, and since then, I haven't even really had time to be thinking negatively like that. I had a great holiday with my family, and have already begun the celebrations for birthday month. I had the best weekend with my best friend to celebrate, but I'll share more of those details later. They deserve their own super fabulous post for a super fabulous weekend!

For now, here's what I've been up to for the last week...

Miss Olivia (the Basset Hound) was adopted and spent Christmas with her new "forever family" and her new Boxer brother. She has obviously settled in quite nicely, and the Boxer doesn't even seem mad that she stole his bed.

I spent Christmas eating tons of Christmas cookies, monkey bread, and homemade pizza. We slept in, opened tons of presents, and spent the afternoon playing games!

Miss Maddie came into our lives as our latest foster pup. She is just the sweetest, and might be one of the best cuddlers in the world. I forgot how fabulous snuggling with a pup at night is!

Josie came back from VA (YAY! Even if it was just for the weekend), and we spent Friday evening having margaritas with my Momma.

#leatherandlacepartyoftwo started off with a bang and our first trip to the drybar. Guys, I'm in love. If I could put one of these stylists in my bag and take them home with me, I would.

This week, it is back to the grind. Long hours at work, new shipments, and trying to find a theater that still is showing Catching Fire at a reasonable hours are things that need to be done this week!

How was your Christmas!? What are your plans for the New Year!?

5 on Friday!

Linking up with Christina and friends for 5 on Friday!

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Y'all, I had the best weekend ever last week. It involved nearly all of my favorite things; besties, college football, and bar hopping in NYC. When I left the city on Sunday morning, I just kept wishing that the weekend would never end. My Hokies took home the Commonwealth Cup for the 10th year in a row, Auburn had the most beautiful victory in the history of college football, and I had entirely too many Cranberry Vodkas. We went "sightseeing" at 1am, and ordered the most perfectly timed pizza in the world.

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Momma and I picked out our Christmas trees last night! It is one of my favorite traditions to go to Stew Leonard's and drive the workers crazy trying to find the perfect ones. We got lucky this year, seeing as the rain was coming down and the tree area was pretty empty, and found our trees very quickly. Now, we can spend the weekend decorating the house and the trees!

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The Sound of Music last night?

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So, I haven't watched it in it's entirety, but what I did see, I loved. While Carrie's acting skills may be sub-par, I thought that the singing was on-point, and I loved it. I can't wait to sit down and watch it from start to finish. Did any of you watch!?

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This little baby is finally mine. I took serious advantage of Cyber Monday and got 30% off. Now, I am impatiently waiting for it to ship, hopefully within the next week. I have been eyeing this bag for a LONG time, and I just couldn't resist the deal.

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I joined a gym on Monday. I know that I really need to get my life together, especially during the holidays, so I found the perfect gym that I can literally walk to from work. My membership included a free 30 minute personal training session. On Wednesday I took advantage of that. It is Friday, and I literally cannot walk up and down the stairs. What a rude awakening that was. I have found an adorable little calendar that I've finally put a training plan into, starting on Sunday. While I am dreading getting back into a routine, I know that it will be the best thing for me come spring/summer!

5 on Friday!

Linking up with April and friends for Five on Friday!

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Guys, it snowed this week. Snowed enough to make it stick to my back deck, and my car. And it was cold. It is always this time of year, before the holidays, but nearing the end of college football season that things just start to get yucky. These days are so short and chilly, and the snow at the beginning of the week certainly did not make matters any better! I'm thinking the remedy for this icky weather is a permanent large cup of Pumpkin coffee attached to my hand. I hope this heat wave comes soon!

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I have caught up with so many of my college friends this week. These girls mean the world to me and I hate that I don't reach out to them as often as I should. The amazing part? We pick up right where we left off as if no time had passed. Weeks like these make me wish that I lived closer to all of them, or that we weren't spread all over the country! I definitely see some spring trips in the making! Memphis, DC, or Richmond, anyone!?

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I am in desperate need of new pajamas. I've picked up a few here and there, but so many have gotten so old and ripped. Why oh why do the cute ones cost SO much money!? I'm lusting over these ah-dorable sets;

These J. Crew Jammies would be so perfect with a bright red monogram, right!? Maybe I'll add them to my Christmas list... (Hi, Mom!)

I just love these polka dot ones from Gap!

Okay, and these are just outrageous with a $1,200 price tag... I literally just laughed. I'm sorry, in what world is this acceptable!?


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Peppermint Mocha Lattes have saved my butt this week. Maybe I have even added an extra shot every day. Maybe I have gotten two on occasion. Maybe I am just sleep deprived and need to get to bed earlier. I'm sure my bank account will thank me for that.

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The Empire State Building was lit up the other night in Christmas colors. I'm not sure why so early, but it was so nice to stop and be reminded that the holidays really are right around the corner. I even walked by Lord & Taylor on 5th Avenue and noticed that they already have their windows decorated for the holidays. I LOVE Christmas in NYC!

Oh Hello, Remember Me?

It has been about 3 weeks since I've logged in to Blogger.

To say that it has been crazy since I got back from Florida would be an understatement. I hit the ground running and have finally had time to stop and think about the last few weeks. At this point, my fingers have been itching to blog, and I'm really excited to share some fun things with you all over the next few weeks!

What have I been up to since the last time I posted?

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I was an epic failure trying to reach my October goals. I guess thats what happens when life gets in the way.

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I went to Florida to see my beautiful family.

This is literally my favorite place to be -- in between these two babes!

Some of my favorite ladies.

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We got a new foster pup, Lucas.

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Raised over $1000 at work for Breast Cancer Research at White Plains Hospital with a fashion show featuring looks from our store!

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Celebrated my best friend's birthday in the city. 

Loved seeing her. Loved that NYC can almost make a rail like TOTS. Loved catching up with two of my favorite Hokies.

Hated that we had to watch Duke dominate VT.

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Fell in love with the new Resort collection at work, and may have emptied half my bank account on cozy cashmere, travel pants, and white jeans. Who needs to save money, anyway?

What have you been up to since I've been gone!?

Miscellany Monday.

I have been all over the board this last week. There are so many things going on at work, at home, and all I want to do is get through this week so I can peacefully enjoy Chick Fil A and Jimmy Johns this weekend while watching my Hokies take on ECU!

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I am in desperate need of something easy and fun to make for the tailgate this weekend. Momma is making crock pot mac and cheese, but Pinterest is letting me down with new ideas for dessert. There will be a pig pickin' at my brother's frat house, so I really need some cute cookies that are effortless. And maroon and orange. Suggestions are appreciated!

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I finally bought myself my promotion present (one of those exceptions in "No Spend September"), and am in love! I hope that it stays sunny all week(end) so I can sport my new sunnies!

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After some stressful (but interesting) days at work, sometimes there is nothing better than coming home and finding some hilarious E-Cards online.

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I was in Times Square last night for the first time in YEARS. It certainly was not as crowded on a Sunday night and walking around was great. I had forgotten how magical the lights are, and how NYC really is the city that never sleeps. I'm making a new NYC bucket list to visit all of the super touristy spots that I try to avoid on my trips in.