because it's friday night and i just got...

NOPE, I didn't get paid this week!

I am so glad the weekend is upon us! I can't wait to sleep in and watch copious amounts of television (on the couch in my new men's XXL pj pants from Target - they were on clearance for $5.08. I couldn't help myself - this is a level of comfortable many have never experienced before!). Due to a total lack of regular programming, this week I started watching Gossip Girl on DVD from the very beginning and I am as addicted ever. I love Blair's fashion sense and total desperation alongside Chuck's debauchery coupled with Serena's short-lived attempts at being a good girl and Jenny's shameful entry into the upper east-side. It is just too good! I have a feeling you now know where to find me on Saturday and Sunday! I do have a couple more Oscar movies to fit in too, so I might catch a film at some point - I do still have a free ticket from Christmas...thanks Mom and Dad! Anyway back to the highlights of the week...

I had dinner at ChaChas with two of my favorite ladies - Carrie and Shannon. We drank frozen mojitos (Please try these if you haven't yet - you will be a fan. Guaranteed. Even if you don't like mint. I am telling you - they are DIVINE!) and talked about everything and nothing simultaneously. It was the type of night where I went home feeling refreshed deep in my soul. It was not an evening of light trivialities (though we did discuss the possibility of going to see Britney in Las Vegas together), but of real hearts in honesty shared amongst sisters. It was wonderful and I can't wait to do it again! We talked about making it a bi-weekly event. Count me in!

Over the weekend I went with Carrie and the kids to watch Joe run his very first 1/2 marathon. I am so not a runner and running a 1/2 marathon (or marathon for that matter) sounds like literally the worst thing ever. However, I am a stellar spectator and love to celebrate other people's accomplishments, so off I went. It was actually a really fun morning...Carrie and I had a delicious breakfast while Joe ran and then got as close to the finish line as possible to cheer for daddy. Carrie managed to get a really great view and even caught him crossing the line on video. He was pretty worn out when he was finished - but we sure are proud of him! There really is nothing I love more than being Aunt Shell and getting to love on those kids. Carrie and Joe have made me feel like family and it is a true blessing I do not take for granted.

Tuesday I managed to get something INCREDIBLE accomplished - I mailed out the very last of my Christmas gifts from 2013. I know, pathetic! I have friends that live all over the county and although I try to keep Christmas relatively small (you can laugh at that statement if you know me) I had three packages to send out that had been nagging at me for months. So glad that is done and off my list. Now to put away the Christmas wrapping paper and supplies that are still haunting my living room!

This week I also boxed up a variety of cupcake related supplies in pink and red with hearts all over for my little loves in Hawaii. I called this package "cupcake party in a box" and it included an apron for M, a pink spatula, a heart-shaped platter, a red oven mitt, funfetti cake mix with frosting and sprinkles, pink polka dot cupcake liners, paper straws and headbands. I hope M and C have a blast celebrating Valentines Day...I sure do love them!

My final favorite moment of the week was when I saw pictures of Rory's first day take over instagram. I had the honor of being present for Rory's birth and photographing the entire event. I took over 600 pictures that day, but the collage Carrie posted took my breath away. For the first time ever, I felt like a photographer and I think I really captured some sweet moments of her first day with Rory James. She says it was the greatest gift I could have ever given her, and I sincerely hope I can give it many many times in the future!