Stressed? Depressed? Lil' bit of both?

This week has been a rough one for me. Finances, Work, Family, Drama, drama, drama.

Nothing horrible has happened. Nothing has really changed. But this week the 

stress of the real world has caught up with me and I just feel drained.  

This whole week I feel like I've been holding back tears.

I want to scream. I was to cry. I want to sit at home (with my new snuggie).  I want to do nothing.  

I want to think about nothing. I want to sleep and not set an alarm. 

I've been so stressed and its just making me depressed.

I need to get out of this funk. 

I need to learn to stop being a cry baby and stand up for myself.

Usually i'm the one who says "why start tomorrow, when you can start today"
but sometimes its ok to not be ok and take a night to clear your head, right?
Tonight is going to be my night to let it all go. Glass of wine, tacos, my love and
 last night's Rachel Zoe are waiting...  Is it 5:30p.m. yet?


And tomorrow :

Arrivederci!

This weekend we said our "See You Soon"s to Derek's sister 

Brandi and her husband Brandon

(aka. B'squared)

Brandi and Brandon are moving to ITALY on Wednesday!! So cray.

Saturday a group of us went to Corbin Bowl for one last night of Karaoke

(yes, I said karaoke not bowling.. there's a bar with karaoke inside the bowling alley. duh.)

Derek and I bought the B's a surprise Thomas the Train Ice Cream Cake.

I signed all the girls up for a little Spice Girls action and half way through the song 

I snuck off stage to grab the cake from Derek.

Middle of the Song - I came went back on stage with the cake and the tears started flowing.

I've known B'Squared for over 3 years now. We have shared so many amazing memories together.
They have always lived down the street and we see them so often. 

Its going to be so weird not having them around.

Arrivederci B'Squared. Can't wait to visit you in your new home, ITALY!!!

Clearly, Brandi and I rocked some Zac Brown Band.

We love us some Chicken Fried.

Happy First Day of Spring!

I kinda (very slightly kinda) wish I lived in a place with all the seasons.

Unfortunately, I'm an L.A. girl (a valley girl to be precise) - born and raised.

We have two seasons...Summer and Not Summer.

And Summer even likes to make day appearances in Not Summer.

Right now its Not Summer. Not yet 108 daily, but Mr.Sun still comes out most of the time 

and likes to invite his 90 degree weather around for weekends.

The "seasons" in L.A. just mean a change in fashion. 

Spring just means its time to buy the floral print pants I've had my 

eye on for weeks, the wedges, and bright/pastel colors...

Spring Shopping:

Jewelry - Stella & Dot

Floral Pants - Gap

Polka Dot Dress - Piperlime

Purple Dress - Free People

1,000 Follower Giveaway !!!

Happy Tuesday Lovebugs!

Hi Ladies!! I'm so excited to join in on this amazing giveaway with Marquis and Kristyn!

Its also my first (of hopefully many) giveaways so check out this great group of girls below and enter to win over $400 worth of prizes!!! <3

A few days ago, Marquis @ Simply Clarke  and Kristyn @ Carolina Fireflies reached 1000 followers on their blogs!

To celebrate reaching 1000 followers, they have teamed up with some of their favorite bloggers to throw a huge giveaway in order to say thank you to their readers. Take a few minutes and show each of them some love.

ONE lucky reader will win over $400 + of goodies from these 24 lovely bloggers!

Check out each blogger below to see what they are giving away and show them some LOVE!

1. Simply Clarke - Ad Space & $15 design credit to Clarke Creative
2. Carolina Fireflies - Ad Space & $25 Etsy GC
3. Passion, Pink and Pearls - Pretty In Pink Interior Design Package
4. The Dwelling Tree - 1 Month In-Post Ad Space
5. Gratefully Inspired - Ad Space & Floral Journal from Joules
6. Mikaela Rae - Large Ad Space
7. Love, Laughter, Happily Ever After - 1 Month In-Post Ad Space
8. My Name Is Madeline - 1 Month Large Ad Space
9. My Beautiful Crazy Life - 1 Month Medium Ad Space
10. This Little Blonde - 2 Months "Sleeping Beauty" Ad Space
11. Caravan Sonnet -$10 Starbucks GC
12. The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife - 1 Month Medium Ad Space
13. Hooah and Hiccups - 1 Month Large Ad Space
14. Walking in Memphis in High Heels - 1 Month Large Ad Space
15. Simply Free - 1 Month Ad Space
16. Back Home Again - 3 Months Large Ad Space
17. Faith Love & Babies - 2 Months Ad Space
18. XO, Allison - $20 GC
19. Wifessionals - 1 Month Small Ad Space
20. Life by Rikki - $10 Target GC
21. Chaos, Commotion, and Emotion - 1 Month Platinum In Post Ad Space
22. Classy Living - 1 Month Large Ad Space
23. Simply Southern. Simply Lauren. - Choice of any shirt from my etsy shop.
24. Virgin Monologuez - $10 Paypal Cash

RULES 1// Giveaway is open to US RESIDENTS  2// Winner will be notified via email on Wednesday 3/27/13 or Thursday 3/28/13.  You will have 48 hours from the timestamp on the email to respond, or a new winner will be chosen. 3// WINNER WILL BE VERIFIED!!! 4// View the Terms & Conditions listed on the Rafflecopter below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

St Patty's Weekend

Already MONDAY?! Ughh... weekends go too fast.

Friday night Derek and I headed out to Supperclub in Hollywood for a fun night of dancing and drinking.

We drank too much and didn't dance enough but we had the BEST time.

I finally got to meet my cousin's new boyfriend and he totally has my approval.

We hung out with some old (and very missed) friends and made some new ones.

We didn't get home till 4 a.m. but that didn't stop Derek from waking up at 9 a.m Ughh.

After breakfast, I went over to the tanning salon (I know it is so so bad for me but I need a base 

tan before May so I don't look like a lobster after the first day of our trip.)

I looked like death with my morning-after makeup and comfy clothes.

When I got to the front desk - surprise! - our friend's sister who we met at the club was working.

We had a good laugh remembering (or trying to remember) what happened the night before.

The rest of Saturday was relaxing. Did some shopping, hung out around the house, and went to the market with my love to stock up for the week.

I hope everyone had a fun, drunk, green, safe, St. Patty's Day!

I was adopted and my birth father had some Irish in him so Derek likes to consider this "my" holiday.

We celebrated my heritage with some Green Beer, Friends, BBQ, and finished off the night with a Corn Beef and Cabbage feast <3

59 Days till Punta Cana!!!!!

Friday Letters

Dear Me, Keep looking forward. Stress less and Smile more. Everything happens for a reason. 

Dear Friday, Thank goodness you are finally here. I've been waiting for you since my alarm went off on Monday morning.  Dear Week, You were hard on me. You wore me out and made me cry, but now I am a bigger person from it. Dear Derek, I loved having ice cream for dinner with you last night. 

Dear Friends, your texts make me giggle and smile. They seriously make every day better. We should do it more often. Dear 80 Degree L.A. Weather, I love you. Don't change. Stay here forever. <3

P.S. See that fun new Stella & Dot button to your left?! Go ahead, Click it. Take a look around. Shop.

If you are interested in hosting a trunk show (online through your blog or Facebook) E-mail/Facebook me!

Hosts will receive discounts and free jewelry.

Throwback Thursday

College seems like FOREVER ago!

I miss it so much!

Not the classes, or the work load.. but I miss my girls and the trouble we got in to.

I miss having people to hang out with at all hours of the day/night.

I miss the adventures ("ann fletchers" as we called them) that usually ended up somewhere with food.

I miss being able to walk to my friend's houses because they live right next door.

I miss laughing with my friends.

I miss the "morning after" story sessions where we could try to remember most of the night.

I miss offering to be DD just so I could make fun of the drunkies I call friends.

I miss dancing.

I miss the Mucky Duck (our go-to bar).

I wouldn't change our memories for anything in the world.

Yesterday, my friend Jenya started up a group text...

One picture.

Which lead to conversations about Brazilian waxing, soccer, and who made out with who 

throughout our college days.

We like to think of Krysta as the "Sniper".

She gets pictures of EVERYTHING!!!! (including the things you wish no one saw)

I don't know how but it is one of many amazing qualities.

As the convo got going Krysta mentioned making a photo album.

Not just any boring old regular photo album, but a book of pictures, stories, qoutes, and everything else amazing from our "good ol' days"...Sisterhood of the Travelings Pants style.

Walnut Creek, CA -- Tarzana, CA -- Miami, FL -- Roseville, CA -- 

Pleasenton, CA -- Hawaii -- Newport Beach, CA -- and SOUTH KOREA (okay, shipping to South Korea might be expensive so she might just have to wait till she moves back to the states to join in)

At least this will keep us all bonded until the weddings start...  :)

Stella & Dot

I joined the Stella & Dot stylist team yesterday and I am so excited about it!!

Stop by my link HERE and shop, shop, shop.

They have the cutest jewelry, scarfs, phone cases, etc.!

If you are interested in hosting a Trunk Show (in person or online through your blog)

or have any questions/comments about Stella & Dot 

feel free to comment, e-mail, or facebook me :)

Wikked Lil' Grrrls

I'm totally the girl who watches Dancing with the Stars or The Voice and wishes I could dance or sing...

(even though I promise when i'm alone I dance and sing like Beyonce)

I headed to Afterburn last night to get my butt kicked with some squats, planks, and weights.

Instructor was a no show. So they gave me a pass for a free class and let me join in the other class that was going on during the Afterburn hour...

BURLESQUE 

(they actually take an hour to choreograph a sexy Burlesque dance)

Its official. I am NOT a dancer. (I  may keep up in Zumba and have one or two signature moves for the club but who doesn't?!)

It was SO FUN to let loose and pretend like no one was watching.

(unfortunately there were like 30 girls watching and waiting for the Zumba class that started next).

I went straight home and had to show Derek all my new moves.

He couldn't stop laughing and I think that was my cue to stick to Afterburn.

(image from google)

Friday - Pay Day, Short Day, and REVIEW Day.

No one likes to sit in a room and be told what they do wrong.

 and only what they do wrong. 

and what to fix. how to fix it. 

and more of what they did wrong.

But, today was my annual review so that's exactly how I spent my morning.

Welcome to the "Real World". Yuck. Can I go back to school now?!

I've been at the firm one.whole.year.

The perks got better, more vacayyyy, more $$$, more responsibilities...

My nerves have been cray-cray since my email on Tuesday

"Allison - Lets do your annual review on Thursday"

I swear I get the worse rollercoaster-nerves ever.

Thursday came around and it got pushed to Friday. 

Then 10 a.m. got pushed to 10:30 a.m. and the nerves worse with every minute.

And now its over. I may have wanted to cry for no reason at all except that my nerves were bonkers. 

I held it in. I took it all in. I will used the constructive criticism daily.

I will grow from this.

(photos from Google)

Afterburn

I joined a Dance/Workout Studio last night!!!

Instead of driving home and sitting in traffic for an hour (or more) I decided to 

join a class, work out, and miss rush hour.

Last night was my first class.

AFTERBURN

They really should call it 

"After: You burn so bad you won't walk for a week"

s.e.r.i.o.u.s.l.y.

I figured I would go check out the class, pick a spot in the back, and see what I was getting myself into.

WRONG....

There was only 3 of us in the class. 

I was the newbie right in the middle between the two long-time class members

who just happened to be friends with the instructor.

I'm surprised I kept up. I am proud of myself!

and today I am definitely feeling the "Afterburn".

It's my new love/hate relationship.

i LOVE LOVE LOVE the exercise.

i HATE the soreness today.

72 days to go. I can do it!!!

Work-iversary

Happy Monday Little Monkeys!

Today marks my one year work-iversary at the firm!

C.r.a.z.y.

Where did the last year go?!

Every year seems to be going faster and faster!

I am so grateful to have such an amazing job.

I work for great people and with great people.

I learn, laugh, and grow daily.

I'm so lucky that they take the time each day to teach me new things 

and help me learn from my mistakes.

One year down - hopefully many more to come!!!

Friday Letters

Dear Friday, I'm so glad you are finally here! I've been waiting way too long for you to arrive!

Dear Derek, I'm on strike. I'm not cooking dinner this week. Your turn.

Dear Baby E, I'm sorry you have to get tubes in your ears. I'm sorry your ears hurt you. Remember your Auntie loves you so so much!

Dear Weather, Thank you for being in the 80's this weekend. 

Dear Bosses, Thanks for taking us all to lunch today!

Happy Friday Lovey Pies!

Any fun plans this weekend???