the one where i said yes!

Once upon a time (March 25, 2012), my dreamboat of a half-Indian boyfriend proposed. And then he became my betrothed (I'm saying "betrothed' because I don't know how to do the accent on fiance...#embarrassing). And then we proceeded to have the fastest, craziest engagement known to man. And it was all delightful. 

Before we got engaged, I actually lost my mind. I was going crazy with the whole waiting game and did what any totally weird, former journalism major would do - I wrote about it. And now, for the first time ever, I share with you the inner-workings of my pre-engaged, desperate mind. Prepare yourselves. 

That moment when: Every casualhang-out becomes a question mark; you suddenly care how your nails look; youfind yourself opening a secret word document for wedding ideas.

That moment….is now.

Every call, every look, every changeof plans has become a massive conspiracy and a ruse for a pop-proposal. When,how and again...WHEN is he going to say those four magic words that are destinedto change my life for good?!

Don’t get me wrong – I’m glad that I’mthe girl who gets to relax, look pretty, and merely accept a diamond ring. Buthonestly, our gender was not designed for such a testing time period. SurelyGod meant for us to do the asking for the simple reasons that: 

a) we like toplan hospitable parties (especially of the engagement variety) 

b) pickingout our own jewelry is our fave.  

However,I suppose nothing can prepare a woman for submission like the mind-numbing(rather, mind-racing) process of pre-engagement. If I had a nickel for everytime I nearly mentioned the words,“marry,” “wedding,” engagement,” and “future child,” (just kidding on the lastone – gross), I could afford a much nicer wedding!

Alas, I sit here in anxious, happyanticipation. And by sit here I actually mean jog-in-place. Because after all,I’ve got to be hot for my big day.

And now that I've fully let you in to the inner-workings of my ridiculous mind - here are some photos from the day that I finally got to stop freaking out:) 

I love happy beginnings:) 

xoxo

A and J

the one where winter never ended

They tell me that today is the first day of spring. I think Boston forgot. For one thing - there are piles of fresh snow on the ground. For another, my spring-like outfit is obstructed by my puffy coat, scarf and hat.

I considered posting today about all the things I dislike about the month of March (all of which are weather related) but remembered that God tells us not to complain. Which I desperately need to remember. Then I thought about posting about all the things I love about March - but that felt artificial. 

So I finally decided to post this: Today is the first day of spring. 

Here is what I wanted to wear: 

This is how it turned out:

Here is what I actually wore:

Here are the very old boots that are tired of being worn:

So there you have it folks. A southern girl choosing to make the best of a never-ending winter. Because at the end of the day - we all have a lot to be grateful for:)

Shirt: JCrew Factory
Sweater: Wallace (via gift)
Jeans: Old Navy
Bracelets: Alix & Ani/Anthro
Boots: Urban
Hat: Target

the one with the taste-bud obsession

Fact: I love salsa. 

Fact: I don't really like the stuff from the jar. 

Hence, restaurant-perfect salsa at home!! I never thought I would be the kind of wife that makes my own salsa and yet here I am, food-processing with the best of them. Watch out world, this chick has appliances. 

Before you start thinking of me too highly, allow me to let you in on my secret - this salsa recipe is easy. I first discovered this recipe here but I've tweaked it to my liking.  I've made it half a dozen times over the last month or so and I've finally found the perfect blend of ingredients that make this salsa deliciously spicy without being too spicy. {I used to over-spice it with some jalapeno peppers and this one time... I rubbed my face afterwards by accident. And as I stood, fully clothed, leaning into the shower screaming whilst my skin burned and burned, I realized that the peppers didn't taste that great in the first place. My husband agreed. So take that, spicy peppers!} 

Ingredients: 

1 can whole peeled tomatoes

2 cans Rotel tomatoes and green chiles (mild)

2-3 cloves of garlic

2 limes (I'm an addict...)

1/2 white onion 

1 cup cilantro

bit of salt

bit of sugar

What you do: 

Put all the ingredients in the processor (or blender) and pulse it 7 or 8 times depending on your desired chunkiness. 

And that's all folks. Makes enough to last you for a fairly large tupperware container or a couple of fiestas. 

Party on, chicas!

daring choices

Two outfit posts in a ROW? I know, you're impressed. And I know you're also impressed that I'm wearing a skirt. In the winter. In Boston. I've got to say - I'm feeling pretty good about that. I bought this maxi skirt a few weeks ago at Target (duh) for...wait for it...8 dollars! Best. Day. Ever. But since I bought the skirt, I've been stressed about how to wear it. Since it's long, thick and gray - it had every possibility of looking matronly and well, rather Amish (no offense to the internet-using Amish...wait, can they use the internet? Great, now I'm offending the high-tech Amish. This post has quickly become far too offensive for a Tuesday morning). I was inspired by my girl Sydney over at the Daybook Blog over a year ago (No, we're not friends...yes, I'm still referring to her as "my girl") but I finally worked up the nerve to try it out. And I'm pretty pleased with the results. Here's to daring days in fashion and politically-incorrect remarks!

Cardigan: H&M

Striped shirt: Gap

Scarf: Apricot Lane (via my mother-in-law)

Skirt: Target

Belt: Thrifted

paint the town red

On Tuesday, Jesse and I and went out on a sixmonthiversalentines date (I know, I'm a nerd) and so I decided to dress up. Which means one thing: outfit post! I mean to post these more but I always feel so awkward asking someone (usually my husband) to take a picture for me. I may have dreamed about being America's Next Top Model (come on, admit it - you posed in the mirror after watching Tyra too) but translating that to real life is much more...odd. So instead, Michaela - my neighbor/delightfully amazing friend/servant extraordinaire, dropped by and snapped pictures of my outfit before Jesse got home. I'm lucky to have friends that overlook such weird requests:)

So anyway, I went with red because: 

A. I'm obsessed with it. I don't know when it happened but everything I own is now a shade of red. 

B. It's Valentine's week. Duh. 

C. It goes well with gold accessories. Which I'm also having a love affair with at the moment. 

D. This is what we call a "skinny" dress. You know one of those dresses that makes you feel like you magically lost about 5 pounds? This is one such dress. Thank you, Old Navy for the teeny bit of Valentine's cheer. 

Dress: Old Navy

Belt: Thrifted

Gold polka dot tights: American Eagle {Similar}

Booties: Baker's 

Bomber Jacket: Target {Similar}

Let's eat chocolate, people! 

xoxo

six months.

Today marks six months married for J and I. I feel like we have packed more life into the last six months than I did in about 5 years put together. Marriage, thus far, has been a wild ride of new adventures, big victories, many mistakes, and a steady, ever-growing adoration for this one special person. Here are 12 things we've learned about marriage and each other...cause you know, we're experts now:)

1. We don't know anything about anything.

2. Combining two full-time incomes somehow means you have far less money than before.

3. The best cure to a hard day at work is anything on the HGTV network.

4. The gym is very far away (even when you find one nearby).

5. Whereas Jesse gets a second-wind at midnight, Alexandra turns into a glass-case of emotion.

6. Everything about our life looks cooler when Instagramed.

7. Target is our favorite place in the world.

8. We have great friends. Like really, really great friends.

9. We aren't ready to have babies but we do want a husky puppy.

10. Love and laughter are the perfect combination.

11.Traveling together is a blast but coming home is the best:) 

12. Our dreams are better when they match.

Thanks for coming along on this journey with us - here's to many more lessons and many more pictures to come:) 

A + J

the one where we found nemo

I've been as giddy as a little girl ALL week - SNOW!!! My excitement, anticipation, and sheer faith in the white fluffy stuff has given me away as a true Southern girl. For example, Friday I was actually shrieking with glee as the snow began (Jesse pretended to be above my childish reaction but I could tell that he was amused). And then yesterday, I was texting some friends about the snow and realized that I said the same thing in regards to snow/our current situation twice - "Woo hoo!" Yep - I'm definitely not from around these parts:) 

As the storm drew closer to New England, we chose to brave the storm with some of our best friends. We slept over with Jay and Alex (another A+J couple I might add) for two nights and made pizzas, watched movies, played Scrabble, and enjoyed some midnight sledding during peak blizzard hours. 

Nemo turned my husband into Jack Frost

On Saturday we woke up to even MORE snow - totaling about 2 feet and honestly, we didn't event think about digging out. Instead, Alex and I took a prayer walk (well, a prayer-trudge) through our buried city and later we convinced the boys to go sledding with us.

Allie let me borrow her fur hat...and it was awesome.

We made it back to our own apartment a couple of minutes ago - Alex and I are hanging together here (we desperately needed a location change) while Jay and Jesse head out to play snow football with some guys in our neighborhood. We came home to a completely snow-covered car and I'm convinced it is the most buried car I've seen during the entirety of this ordeal. The snow drift on top of it is taller than me! But even so, that can all wait - cause we have hot chocolate in the house, a bunch of college students coming over for chili, and much relaxing left to do. I love you, snow:) 

Sunset in Boston after the blizzard:)

And one last thought to leave you with...another reason to love the snow:) 

He directs the snow to fall on the earth
    and tells the rain to pour down.
 Then everyone stops working
    so they can watch his power.

- Job 37:6-7 NLT

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