So.. you can come home again?

Anyone listening? Can I just pick this thing up and start over again pretending I didn't stop blogging for 6 months?

well it's my blog and I say I can so.. what's up, we're back!!

My juices are flowing and I want to write again. so.. I should probably start by updating yourself and myself on what's been going on since December.

1. We moved to the beach! (The stress of that move was precisely around the time I stopped blogging because that was apparently too stressful too). Anyway, we now live in a tiny apartment in Venice about 5 blocks from the beach and 2 block's to Santa Monica's Main Street. We absolutely love it here.

2. Christmas happened. We spent some time in Toledo and Chicago with family. For me, it was short but sweet. Then I went back to work.

3. Then, I worked, a lot. I worked.... worked some more... worked a little bit more... and tried to have a little fun in between.

4. I turned 25 and had a housewarming slash birthday party. It was quite fun!

5. I don't know what happened during the months of February, March, and April. It's a blur to me.

6. Oh yea, in April Lauren and Parker got married. It was perfect and lovely. Then, my mom came to visit and we went to wine country and I fell in love with Santa Barbara. Then, we learned that it's the #1 most expensive place to live in the USA. Dreams were crushed.

7. We celebrated our 2 year anniversary on May 10th and a lovely hotel in Redondo Beach. It was so nice to "get away" for a night. We decided we need to get away more often.

8. We got a puppy! A 6 month old llasa apso fur ball , whom we dubbed "Harley". Also known as.. Hara, Harlsworth, little girly, and "NO!"

I think that brings you pretty up to date on the happenings around our little apartment. We're officially obsessed dog owners and only seem to frequent the establishments that allow our little lady to join us. My how the times change..

I'm hoping for a fun, relaxing summer, but fear that work will too often get in the way of that. I think work should be like high school or college. Work hard for 2 semesters then get the summer off! Perhaps I'll write a letter to Obama.. maybe he can work on that next, you know after he cleans up the gulf, ends the war, and fixes the economy!

Here's a picture of the little peanut to tied you over:

I am..

In case you need to catch up on my life I am currently...

excited about decorating our new apartment for Christmas!
worried about finding said apartment in time to move in by December 5th. (yea, that's soon)
reading websites with recipes for Thanksgiving turkey.
creating cheesy potatoes!
loving relaxing nights with Peter.
hating busy schedules.
wondering how I will survive the cold when I go home for Christmas!
craving time with my family.
listening to the 500 days of summer soundtrack on repeat.
watching anything with Kristen Wiig (I want to be her BFF, for real)!

DVR-ing Grey's Anatomy, Project Runway, Friday Night Lights, The Hills

(this list was adapted from one of my favorite bloggers Kerry @ your wishcake)

Thoughts..

I'm sitting at my computer trying to write about our trip to Ohio but I've deleted my work 4 times now. I simply don't know how to put it into words, not because it was so amazing and not because it was horrible it was just..

Are we happy in Ohio? Yes, it's home, we know it and the people there like the back of our hands. On the flip side, are we happy in LA? Yes! It's exciting, new, adventure, we don't know what each day will bring us. We are honestly happy in both places.

We were asked countless times, "how long are you going to be in California?" or "are you ever coming back to Ohio?" We have no answer for these questions.

If we were still in Ohio we would be buying a house, starting a family, working comfortable jobs and while all that sounds very appealing that is simply not where we are right now. We're still soaring through the opportunities, enjoying our youth, and exploring each new turn in California. Sure, we've broken down a few times and had a few "what the hell were we thinking" moments but we have also made new friends, tried new things, found ourselves outside our comfort zone, and discovered new paths. We've also learned how very important it is to be best friends. No one understands me like Peter, and that's because we've experienced this journey together.

I had a great week in Ohio, I love my friends, family, and the simpler (and much less expensive) life of Ohio. But ultimately I'm happy to be back to our new home in California and excited to see what comes next.



(If you made it to the end of this rambling post I applaud you, I know I don't usually talk about serious stuff on here, but it was what I needed today. You deserve a chocolate chip cookie.)

Bullet Points

I'm super busy at work this week, so I think this is one of my only moments to blog. I'm going to try to fit a few things in. Maybe you'll get some bullet points. Let's see...

• I had an incredibly lazy weekend. This was due to the fact that I had a migraine pretty much all weekend. I think said migraine came from lack of water in-take and a heat wave in So Cal. I was pretty miserable and spent a lot of the weekend sleeping.

• Did I tell you guys that a got a Gucci bag at Crossroads for 35 dollars? Oh, well I did and she's beautiful.
  

• I also don't think I've mentioned that I'm watching the Bachelorette this season (would you really expect anything less?) I obviously thought Wes was a tool. I was creeped out by the angry guy from Ohio (LOL) and I really loved Reid. I think I wanted Reid to win. Now, I don't really know what I want. I think I like Kypton. Maybe I don't. Did I mention I super bad at making decisions?
  

• Lastly, I think searching for flights is one of the most annoying things in the world. How the heck do I actually find the best deal? Any tips would be appreciated. Thank you.
  

On that note, I'm heading to bed. I have to be at work super early in the morning. I'll leave you with a picture of my beautiful new home which I've grown to love oh so much..

Date Night

Tonight I had a great date with Peter. It left me smiling for hours.

My favorite "date" is not the normal, get dressed up, go out to dinner and a movie type date (but don't get me wrong, that's tons of fun too). My favorite date with Peter is make an early dinner at home, (tonight we had yummy baked chicken and green bean casserole) go for a walk at the park near our apartment, go to the mall that's across the street to spend a few hours at Barnes & Noble. We've been having dates at book stores ever since we first started dating. Our favorite thing to do is choose some books or magazines, find a couch, and settle in for some reading. We also enjoyed a Starbucks iced coffee and a yummy m&m blondie. Then we came home and lounged together doing separate things, together. That sounds like somewhat of an oxymoron but I love when I can feel close to my hubby even though I'm watching the Bachelorette and he's doing work on the computer or he's playing Tiger Wood's while I blog (what we're currently doing, haha). Tonight was comfortable and relaxed.

What's your favorite date night activity? I'd love some more cheap & fun alternatives to dinner & a movie!

Weekly Mind Dump

1. I've been a bad blogger recently folks. I can blame it on lots of things.. work, nothing to say, writers block, the a-a-a-a-alcohol (haha, thank you Jamie Foxx) but mostly I'm just being lazy! There's always something to write about in blog world, right?

2. On to point number two.. I've heard people talk about "June Gloom" and I was all "yea right, it's always sunny in El Lay" but hello! I was wrong. June is certainly very gloomy, it reminds me of a certain state that starts with an O and ends with hio. I need to know, So Cal girls, when does summer get here?!

3. Lately, I've had the bug to be crafty. My friend and I created a cardigan out of an over-sized cotton shirt (so cute!), used old picture frames to make earring holders, and plan to buy some canvas to paint artwork for our houses. I'm like a regular Martha Stewart over here. (I'll provide some pictures and maybe some easy shmeasy tutorials of my creations in the next few days!)

4. Peter and I are going to a free screening of the indie romantic comedy "500 Days of Summer" tonight. I'm super excited because the film looks so cute. I'll provide a full review tomorrow. For now, here's the trailer for your viewing pleasure..

Mind Dump

1. I think technology is turning on me. My first generation iPhone is about to bite the dust. It doesn't ring (only vibrates) and is apparently not showing me phone calls considering I've missed a few this weekend that I've never seen. It also decided to stop updating a few months ago.




Also, the internet has suddenly decided to be super slow and not let me load pages half the time. Grr.

2. Did anyone else watch the MTV Movie Awards last night, or am I the only tweeny-bopper still watching that trash? I thought Andy Samberg was hilarious and I loved the performance of his digital shorts. Hilarious if you ask me.

On, that note.. Is Kristen Stewart the most awkward person on the planet? Yes. I think she play's a great Bella because well, Bella is awkward, but come on girl, you looked ridiculous last night. Robert/Edward bugs the crap out of me and after further review I'm officially Team Jacob. Hello Taylor Lautner!



3. I went to Griffith Park again this weekend with some girlfriends and a bird pooped directly on my nose. It was disgusting and disturbing.

4. I have to work until "close" three nights this week. That means I'll be at work past midnight. Ew.

5. I also went to Ketchup on Sunset Blvd. So swanky, so Hollywood. Further review coming soon!

They All Fall Down..

I have an embarrassing problem. It creeps up at the most inopportune times. It also strikes from the comfort of my MacBook. Some of my other family members also deal with this difficulty and are embarrassed by it often.

What's my problem?

My inability to hold it together when another person falls down in my vicinity.

People falling down is the number one more hilarious thing to me. When it happens, I can not control myself. There have been times when someone falls down and may actually hurt themselves and I can't help but giggle. I'm not talking a little giggle under your breath, I'm talking full out hold your belly, can't breathe, rolling on the floor laughter. I have been embarrassed by this many times in situations where it is completely inappropriate for me to have a laughing fit but I just can't help it.

A few weeks ago I attended a comedy show at the famous Comedy Store on Sunset Blvd. There were about 20 comics to perform. The most memorable moment of the night? When a random audience member bit it behind me and the entire crown turned around to see her flat on her face. I am laughing right now as I think about this moment of hilarity.

This problem that I have becomes even more a issue when I mention that I am one of the clumsiest people I have ever met. I have no balance and I trip over my own feet quite often. You'd think I would have sympathy for people falling around me but consequently, I don't. I'm the one pointing and laughing in the corner.

This video on YouTube reminds me of myself when I see someone fall:

Orange Mocha Frappuccino!

Have you tried this yet? It's delicious. I've always been a Coca-Cola drinker, no not Pepsi, Coke!* Ever since I was a little girl we always had Coke in the house and my entire family loves it. In the past few years I've made the switch to Diet (because hello it's SO much better for you) and now I can say I'm pretty much a DC & Coke Zero addict. Recently I found this delicious new treat.. Diet Cherry Coke! I've always loved Cherry Coke (yum!) and now it comes in diet form! (Thank you DC God's!)

*I'm not sponsored or paid by Coca-Cola. I just love it. But if Coca-Cola would like to sponsor me or give me a job, I would take it. Thank you.

Hope you're having a great Saturday!

P.S. This post has nothing to do with the title, it's just my favorite like from the awesome movie Zoolander and when I was saying Diet Cherry Coca-Cola it made me think of the line. I tried to find it to share it with you on YouTube but apparently my YouTubing (is that a word?) skills suck because I can only find it in German.

Say Cheese!

Have you ever noticed in pictures of yourself that every time you're supposed to make a "silly/funny/goofy/fun" face it turns out the exact same and you end up having 47 pictures of you making the same funny face. Well, if you don't do this, let it be known that I do this. Somehow each time this picture is taken I turn out look like this:



This face is not very cute, not at all flattering, and actually rather frightening. Am I the only one that does this? Do you have a silly picture face?

As of today I've decided I'm going to cut this face out of my picture taking repertoire. God knows this weekend there will be lots of pictures taken with all different types of faces (I mean c'mon you know when girls and digital cameras get together a ridiculous amount of picture taking ensues.) So today, as I pack, I'll be practicing my new (and hopefully much cuter) faces in the mirror.

Over It

1. The maintenance department at our apartment complex charging $7.50 for a light bulb that you can only get through them. Ridiculous.

2. Octo-Mom. I'm still over this, but it's still on the news almost every day.

3. Having to wear a coat when I go home this week. A coat?! Socks?! What is that?!

4. Job-searching. Nothing else needs to be said.

On a side (and more positive) note, I'm excited to go home this week and see my best girlfriends. Here is a really old picture of us from college spring break at my mom's house in Florida.

Little Miss Sunshine

Have I mentioned my love for all things yellow? I used to be a pink girl all the way, but recently I've adopted yellow as my personal favorite. Anything yellow, I have to have it! Especially darkish yellow, also called mimosa. Did you know that every year there is a "color of year" and guess what this year's color is.. http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=20634&ca=10 YES! It's mimosa!






Lately, almost everything I want to buy is yellow. Like the dress above from J.Crew.. yes, please!



Or this adorable top from Forever 21.

Ah yes, yellow, you inspire me and you make me happy. If any husbands* are reading this and thinking about a gift for their darling wife**, think mimosa.

*a.k.a. Peter
**a.k.a. Ali

It's A Brand New Day

I am the type of girl that can listen to a song and it can change my whole day. This song, by Joshua Radin, has that effect on me. It just makes me happy! Listen & enjoy.



On a completely different note, is anyone else watching Dancing With The Stars? We mostly watch it because Peter has a crush on Julianne Hough and we saw her a few weeks ago at The Grove (of course!) It's okay that he has a crush on Julianne because he's very aware of my crush on Kris Allen. Has anyone ever seen the friend's episode where they discuss having a celebrity "top five"? Yea, we go by those rules.