Lest you think I spent my whole birthday sad and crying*

 Which I didn't. I actually had a great birthday. Actually, birthweek. Maybe even birthmonth. I do like to celebrate my birthday for a whole month.

"Dan, will you go get me ice cream?"

"Eh, no. Sorry, babe."

"But... it's my birthmonth."

"It's February 2nd."

"Yeah. My birthmonth. Duh."

Sometimes it works, folks. Sometimes. 

But really, we did have a great week. Starting over the weekend when our trip to NC got snowed out so instead we dressed up with all my law school friends who were going to Barrister's Ball (we couldn't get tickets last minute) and pre-gamed with them and then stayed at a swanky hotel in DC (oh, the bathtub. the king-size bed). And ordered room service while I pranced around in a cozy hotel robe (which are always better than my personal robe). 

The following morning we did brunch with all those same people and drank bottomless mimosas and then promptly took naps. Monday was a holiday which is always a win. 

And, then Wednesday. The 19th. My birthday. 

I got a surprise birthday dress. I got texts, messages, instagrams and other social media love. I got cookies and sourdough bread and baked goods from friends. Dan bought me Shake Shack and brought it the bar where we proceeded to have a debaucherous night complete with baby guinnesses. 

It was a great birthday and the month isn't even over yet. 

*My previous post was about how I cry on my birthdays. 

A surprise tea party.

Grams had a birthday this past week and to celebrate my aunt planned a surprise tea party. I was in charge of distraction. Since I get distracted easily this was the perfect task for me. I took Grandma out for breakfast at a cute little bakery downtown and then we went shopping - which is pretty much what we do best.

The hard part was getting her back to the house. We were supposed to have lunch - I said that sandwiches at home sounded perfect but she wanted to go out, of course. So then I had to text in backup. I had my cousin call me and invite herself to lunch with us so we would "need" to pick her up - we are so very environmentally conscious.

It worked. We finally get on the road back to the house and with a bit of tricky manipulating I get her to come into the house and she was definitely surprised when she saw everyone there.

It was such a fun afternoon and the food was so good (pastries from Whole Foods are awesome, who knew?). It was so cool to be in town for this since I have generally missed out on these occasions being on the east coast for the past 3 years.

Happy Birthday, Gram! We love you!

birthday weekend

Spent Saturday morning watching the sunrise with some great girls. 

Spent Saturday evening eating burritos and watching the best mandolin player in the world. 

Opened the foxy dress from Urban that husband got me.

Consumed heart pancakes and mimosas for breakfast on Sunday. 

Birthday weekend, you have spoiled me.

birthday proposal

Yesterday I got to be a part of this really sweet proposal. 
It was her birthday so he had her sorority sisters and his fraternity brothers surprise her on the lawn with signs, cards, and balloons. 
We sang Happy Birthday, he read his card out loud to her, and then... he dropped to one knee!
She was ecstatic and I think even surprised :) 
They are so sweet and I wish them all the best. 
Congratulations, Laura and Daniel!




p.s. I made those banners ;)

Birfday

Shirt: Target, Skirt: Anthropologie, Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Today was my birthday! Husband got my a fan-freaking-tastic Kindle! Seriously, the man knows me so well: technology and literature. First book buy? Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris. 

Ex.Cite.Ed. 

We made a chocolate cake (from scratch!) and went out to dinner with some new friends from our small group. It was a busy day and a lot of fun. I did have to study this morning for some hours so we went to B&N. While over in that area I thought I would pick up some applications for work at some retail stores. I walked into J Crew first and had my very first awkward-married-person-moment. I was greeted by a guy and here was our conversation: 

Guy: Hey, welcome to J Crew, can I help you with anything?

Me: Actually, I was wondering if you guys are hiring right now.

Guy: Well, we are always accepting applications, would you like one?

Me: Sure, that would be great. 

(We walk over to the counter)

Guy: I'm Taylor by the way.

Me: I'm Rachel

Guy: Do you go to school around here?

Me: Ya, I go to UNCW

Guy: Me too! What year are you?

Me: A Junior

Guy: Oh, okay, I am a senior. Do you live on campus?

Me: Oh... no... well my husband is in the marine corps... so... (realizing that the fact that I am married and that he is in the marine corps has nothing to do with where we live)... uh... no. We don't live on campus. 

Guy: oh. got it.

Yep. I should have just yelled STOP HITTING ON ME. Which is ridiculous because the poor guy was just being nice and I made it super awkward and I didn't even mean to! It just popped out of my mouth and now I don't even want to return the application. I am an awkward married woman. 

Here are some pictures from my otherwise unawkward day 

backwards.

Dress: Modcloth, Belt: Panache, Sweater: Target, Shoes: Payless

True Confessions: I am wearing this dress backwards. 

The front is supposed to have a high scoop neck and then the back is a little lower. But I am short folks and for some reason I just felt stumpy when I wore it like that. So, backwards it is. I really do love this dress though, it's so comfortable. 

This week is super stressful school-wise: I have full rough draft due today (which I forgot about until last night), a Western Civ test tomorrow, a paper for Global due on Friday, and another test on Monday. It's all doable I just feel slightly overwhelmed by the tight schedule. But I am looking forward to Saturday! It's my birthday so Daniel and I are going to make a cake from scratch together. I got this fabulous Southern Cakes recipe book from Audrey for Christmas and I can't wait to try one out! And we're making tacos. Because I am Mexican. And that's what I like. 

Giveaway.