Weekend Recap

There was a multitude of celebrations this past weekend, which is how every weekend is going to look this April!

We celebrated my dad's birthday on Saturday, went to a baby shower Sunday afternoon, and Sammy and I celebrated our anniversary Sunday evening. 

Even though there was a lot going on, I woke up today feeling like the weekend seemed so long! Gotta love when weekends feel that way. 

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We started at Allen's Corner to kick off my dad's birthday celebrations. I got the hash skillet which is nutso good and split the biscuits and gravy with my brother. 

Their biscuits and gravy are always sold out by the time we get there, so be to able to have them was a treat that we made way too big a deal out of.

We spent the entire day with my dad which included stops at a candy store in McHenry and the old movie theatre in downtown Libertyville before heading back to my house so he could open gifts before dinner.

  

I got reservations at Burt's which has recently reopened since Burt passed away last year. We were super excited to try the pizza since we all think Burt's is the best pizza in Chicago, no question. Unfortunately, they seem to be still getting their bearings as they've only been open about a month and the pizza wasn't quite like how Burt used to make it. He was teaching the new owners his tricks before he passed away, so maybe they need a little more time to get it right.

We finished the night at Comet's with some sundaes and malts :) It was a DAY filled with nonstop eating, but there isn't any other way to celebrate this guy. He's our favorite man on earth and we're so crazy lucky he's our dad. 

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On Sunday afternoon, I went to Sammy's sister-in-law's first baby shower. It was at a beautiful country club in Barrington with lovely views of the golf course.

They don't know if they're having a girl or boy, so the pink and blue details around the room were a sweet touch. I'm excited for her second shower I'm helping to throw with Sammy's mom next May! It's bee themed and a little more gender neutral which I think will be really lovely. 

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After the shower, I headed over to Sammy's and we spent the late afternoon and evening together for our 11th anniversary. We celebrated by taking a walk to enjoy the 70 degree weather we got yesterday (!!) and lounging around. He wanted to do more, but I just wanted to spend time together and keep it pretty low key. 

Some days I can't fathom that we've been dating for eleven years, and some days when he's driving me nuts, I definitely can ;) I've known him for more than half of my life and everyone knows us as the couple who got "married" in second grade. (It is absolutely as embarrassing as it sounds and no one will let us forget about it.) 

I wrote on social media that this year has been my favorite and it definitely has. We've come into ourselves individually and as a couple more in this year alone than we have in the previous ten years combined. While I know we've only scratched the surface and will experience more hard times together, it's been so nice to reach this sweet spot in our relationship. I told him yesterday that while I was at the baby shower, all I kept thinking was how excited I am to do all "that stuff" with him. Couldn't have asked for a better partner to do life with. 

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In between all the celebrating, I finally succumbed to British television. Everyone in my department is obsessed with British tv and British culture, so I always felt pretty left out when they'd talk about how good everything was. A coworker told me I should start watching the Great British Bake Off since several seasons are on Netflix now, so I started that Friday night and have been binge watching all weekend. 

 I am officially obsessed. Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood are no joke. Someone described it to me as being really relaxing to watch, and it absolutely is. I love watching it before bed. They're all so British it hurts. I accidentally saw who the winner is for the first season when I went to save this picture and I'm way too upset that I spoiled it for myself.

Everyone at work is really into The Crown on Netflix, but I decided to start with Victoria on Masterpiece Theatre instead. I kind of wanted to go in order of the monarchies because I'm a huge nerd. Plus, Sammy's aunt is really into Masterpiece Theatre and she's been watching Victoria, so I figured with the baby/bridal showers and Easter coming up, her and I would have a lot to gush over. 

I've only seen the first episode and part of the second and already I'm so into it. I was gutted after the first episode. Sammy's aunt calls it "delectable" and she's so right. Jenna Coleman is amazing as Queen Victoria and like stop-you-in-your-tracks gorgeous.

Safe to say I've drank the British kool-aid. Here and there I get slightly annoyed with how calm and poised they are (how can you be so effortlessly poised?!), but then I see Mary Berry's face and I'm like k, whatever, it's all fine. 

Has anyone been watching? Would love to gush over Lord Melbourne with literally anyone. ;)

*Linking up with Biana 

Friday Favorites | Life Lately

I've missed a couple of weekend recaps {surprise, surprise} so I thought doing a "Life Lately" post for my Friday Favorites would be fun since "Life Lately" posts are some of my favorites to read. 

So let's get to what is essentially a large photo dump ;)

// a few weekends ago, Sammy and I had a day date downtown. 

I had to attend an event for one of my classes so I dragged Sammy to that ;) I loved having him experience a little bit of the world I've been so immersed in for the last several years. It was cool to walk around campus with him and show him where my buildings are and stuff. 

Afterward, we went to DMK Burger for burgers and beer. 

      

Sammy got a burger with gauc, chipotle mayo, and all that on it. I got a salmon burger with Asian relish and a red curry sauce. It was really great. The fries were prettay awesome too. 

I wasn't crazy about my beer only because I'm a snob and don't like hops and only like German and Mexican beer, so don't go by opinion ;) 

After we ate, we headed over to the United Center to see our last Bulls game of the season. 

I had gotten Sammy tickets for his birthday and as you can see I can clearly afford the best of the best since we're so incredibly close. 

We also wore the matching Michael Jordan jerseys I got us which Sammy was mildly embarrassed by. #23IsKing

// on Sunday of that weekend, my best friend Chelsie had all us girls over for brunch which was so lovely. 

      

She, and her fiance Dan, served pancakes with a homemade strawberry sauce, fruit kebabs, roasted potatoes, egg cups with onions and red & green peppers, and I brought an angel food cake like a schmuck. I did, however, bring Bellini mix {$5.99 at Trader Joe's, people!} and champagne for mimosas which is very anti-schmuck behavior so I think I may have redeemed myself there. 

Before we sat down to eat, we found these cute little boxes at each of our seats that Chelsie had put together.

There was a tiny little message in a bottle inside the box and when we opened it we all had little messages to read! 

Here was mine:

Ask me if I ugly cried. Now ask me if there are photographs to prove it. 'Cause there is. There are several. Several. And they are as ugly as it gets. But it's fine because I am honored beyond words and measure to stand next to my sister on such an important day. I seriously can't believe it. 

Obviously, I have become even more obsessed with their wedding {if that was even possible} and am in full swing planning mode for the engagement party I'm hosting for them in June! I can't wait! 

This means I've been on Etsy like every night this week picking out invitations and 47 other printables. 

She's worth it. 

{I'm sure I'll be doing a post on my inspiration soon. Anyone have engagement party throwing experience/advice?!}

// last week it was my Dad's birthday and we celebrated twice because he's worth a million celebrations and because we love food. 

He's the cutest, no?

      

During the middle of the week, we tried Demera in Uptown which is an Ethiopian restaurant. 

I ended up really enjoying it. It was fun to try a different cuisine from what I'm typically used to. 

My favorites were the spicy lentils, yellow peas, and a white fish mixture. 

Also, the beer was excellent. Guess I like Ethiopian beer now too. ;)

      

On his actual birthday, we tried Osteria Trulli a new Italian place that opened up near our houses and it didn't disappoint. I got the margherita pizza and I loved how fresh it was. 

// I got surprise anniversary flowers delivered to the office last week

They were white lilies {my fav} and pink cabbage roses which I'm loving so much more than regular roses now. 

It was such a lovely surprise and everyone who passed by my office said how amazing they smelled. WHICH they still do since they have lasted over a week now without wilting, losing one leaf or petal, or fading in color. I can't believe how amazing they look. 

Also, the card Sammy wrote made me cry at work 'cause I know how to be professional. 

 // Sammy and I spent our anniversary last weekend doing "us" things. Eating, randomly shopping, and lounging. 

      

We stopped over at Scudiero's in Melrose Park which is one of my favorite Italian places ever. It's an old-school deli and I couldn't love it more. 

I always get the eggplant parm sandwich because it's to die for and I don't have time to mess around with anything else {although I'm sure everything is amazing}. 

The deli is family owned for over sixty years which makes my heart disgustingly happy and they're all policemen and firemen so ya gotta love that too. 

The owner was awesome and talked to Sammy about his experience in the academy and told us if we need anything to give him a call. After meeting him once. Ah, I can't get enough of it. 

Also, this sign is everything to me. 

After lunch, we did some random shopping because Sammy is a 72 year old man who has to use his Kohl's cash before it expires. But I'm no better because while we were there, I bought two nightgowns by the same brand my 83-year-old grandmother wears............

Anyway. 

We had the best of intentions to stay out like human beings and actually do things, so we were going to go to Pinstripes until we found out we needed reservations, and there were no openings for bowling that day and no openings for bocce until 10pm. 

Like really, I gotta make a reservation for bowling...

I don't think so. 

So we went back to his house to lay on the couch for 8 hours. Very reflective of who we are ;)

//  I got my certificate from the English Honors Society this week 

And also my pin which I will wear every day since I've never gotten honors in my entire life and I'm milking this shit for all it's worth.

I also had a really good week at school this week which I definitely needed. I've been struggling this quarter since I picked heavy loaded classes to finish out my graduate career {only I would do this...} and I've been feeling inadequate during these first few weeks because there are so many intelligent people in my classes that I'm easily intimidated. 

I struggle with social anxiety to a degree so speaking in class is difficult for me {even though no one would know since one-on-one I won't shut the hell up}. I had to read a piece I wrote for class and I was shaking I was so nervous. You'd think that stuff would start to get easier but it doesn't for me for some reason. 

I didn't feel nervous as I read but my body still acted as if I was nervous which was annoying. 

But afterward, I got the best feedback I've ever gotten in a workshop before. Classmates came up to me after class to tell me how well I read and how solid the piece was. My professor even told me he sees it being an essay if I keep working on it which was the highest compliment to hear from him especially.

I was in need of a positive experience like this before I got really discouraged. I have the above photo as my wallpaper on my phone right now as I've been trying to remind myself of the message every day. My comments are intelligent enough to be heard, and my story is worthy of being told so I need to stop comparing myself to other people and just be. 

I gotta do a little more blooming. 

// and to close, some Benny pictures because I hoard them on my phone like a nut case

      

because we just 

can't deal

can we?

xo

Ten on Tuesday | Facts of Us

With our anniversary this Saturday, I've got "us" on my mind. I can't resist doing another relationship centered Ten on Tuesday post. This week I wanted to do ten facts about us! I asked Sammy to answer some questions with me over the weekend while we were on a date and it made for such a nice conversation.

So sorry ladies. It's about to get mushy and silly, and honestly, kind of great. At least to us. 

1 // How We Met 

Sammy and I met in elementary school. In second grade to be exact. I've told this story about 100 times but it never gets old. I remember seeing him come in during our "meet your teacher" day before school actually started. He was this little boy carrying a grocery bag full of school supplies. He had on a sweater vest and little wire framed glasses. Let's take a moment to repeat. He wore a SWEATER VEST to a not even real day of school. I was done right there. 

{Sammy's birthday party probably in 4th grade-sorry for the terrible quality but it's an old scanned photo} 

Our desks were next to each other on that first day of school and on every first day of school after that. Thanks, teachers ;) 

2 // How Long?

We've known each other for seventeen years and have been dating for ten. 

{one of our homecoming pictures}

3 // How Did He Ask?

Here's a classic tale for any of you 90's kids out there. Sammy asked me to be his girlfriend over AIM. AIM PEOPLE. I remember I was over at my girlfriend's house working on a Spanish project and I kept sneaking over to their family computer so I could answer his IMs. He asked me if I'd be his girlfriend using red bold comic-sans. Can't believe I've been with a guy this long who, at some point, preferred comic-sans. 

4 // Our Favorite Things About the Other

His: "I come home every weekend from a stressful place and with a stressed mind and just being around you makes me calm down. Sometimes we talk about work and sometimes we don't and that's okay {I think he's referring to good balance here}." He also insisted on mentioning one of his favorite things is "your attempt to be funny. The joke isn't usually that funny but you're attempt at being funny is what's funny." THANKS.

Mine: One of my very favorite things about Sammy is how passionate and dedicated he is to the things he loves. Loyalty is extremely important to me and Sammy proves his loyalty through his passion and dedication for what he values. He grows more dedicated to our relationship every day and throughout all adversity his passion for his career, family, and friends, etc., only strengthens. His dedication inspires me to be better every day and to prove my passions through action. 

5 // Our Favorite Dates

His: "The Signature Room was pretty nice." 

Mine: There's a little restaurant in Cicero called Freddy's Pizza. It's old school Italian and I like to think of it as our place. 

6 // Our Favorite Trips

His: "One of the Florida trips." I then made him pick a specific one and to my delight he chose our most recent trip which was to Disney. God bless him.

Mine: Excluding Disney, I'd probably have to choose one of our downtown trips. We did one of our Christmas trips down there and a trip after we graduated. We always pack so much into our Chicago trips, they end up being so fun. We love playing tourists in our own city. 

{rivals forever...Go CUBS!}

7 // Our Favorite Year of Dating

His: "I think the first year because we had reconnected after not talking {he's referring to middle school here...} and also this year because I feel like we've gotten back to acting just like we did when we were younger just..with more...adult things." 

Mine: I have to agree with him entirely. While I've loved every year for specific reasons, there were some in the middle there that were tough as we were dealing with all the shit that comes with growin up, but the first year was so much fun and light hearted and this year I think we really found our groove more than any year before {although we needed those previous years to teach us and get us here}.

8 // His Favorite Thing on Our Bucket List

His: "Moving in together. Picking the place together and organizing it." He literally said organizing it. Have I mentioned how much I dig him? Also, I was not expecting this answer AT ALL and kind of died in the restaurant. I told him I was thinking more of an activity or place we want to visit that's on our bucket list and he said, "well, this is on my bucket list". Okay, man. ;)

{can we find a place like this? ;) any chance I can to bring it up, I will}

Mine: Something I'm really looking forward to doing on our bucket list is doing a cross-country road trip, going back to Paris with him, camping in Yosemite. I can't pick just one! 

9 //  Our Anniversary Plans

We recently decided we're going to skip celebrating over this weekend {since Sammy has limited weekend time while he's in the academy. He's also going to be in Vegas from Sat-Sun with his buddies anyway} and save our money to take a trip celebrating our 10 year and both of our graduations {my master's degree and his academy} once Sammy gets his solidified vacation time. I can't wait to start planning that. 

10 // Why Do We Do It?

This seems like an odd question but people ask us this all.the.time. It's kind of weird because to us it's kind of self explanatory. 

Him: "Because it was bound to happen." When I asked him this question he brought up being seated next to each other in elementary school and because of that "we were bound to be together". 

Me: For me, there is no other way to be. He's my guy. There's no one like him and our relationship is one of my greatest joys in life. We work hard on it every single day and I'm very proud of where we've come and all the places we can go together. Loving him is such a privilege. He's the greatest life partner I could have asked for.

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Anyway, thanks for reading all that if you made it to the end! It was really fun and nostalgic for me to put this post together so thanks for putting up with me. And for the obnoxious amount of photos of us. It was excessive. Sorry. They're just some of my favorites. But also, sorry. ;)

xo