checking in

I am swamped under boxes and finals. 

But, here is my thought for the day:

Song of the South (by alabama) takes on an entirely different meaning to me now. 

#westcoastgirlinasouthernstateofmind.

Have a fabulous Thursday.

summer showers

My hair may or may not have been curly today. Not anymore. 

What do you wear when you have to walk to school in the pouring rain and 85˚ heat? Why, shorts and rain boots of course. Seriously, people were staring and all I was thinking was, "Do they make warm-weather rain boots?" The great thing about rain boots is that there is no need to avoid big puddles. In fact, walking through them and making mini tidal waves is highly satisfying and I recommend it. Oh, you don't have freak rainstorms that bring down 100 inches of rain in an hour during your summer months? Just count yourself lucky then.

messy eater

Sweater: Forever 21, Shorts: AE, Glasses: UO

I am going to live in these shorts this summer.

I used to hate shorts for a plethora of reasons but this humidity leads people to do crazy things. Like, drink sweet tea. Ride a bike in a bikini. Or, in my case, buy shorts. These ones are pretty hard not to like though. Ridiculously comfortable. 

Also, that shirt? I didn't start out wearing that. We went to Panera for lunch, I got the soup in a bread bowl, and when attempting to scrape some sourdough yumminess onto my spoon, "sploosh!" broccoli cheddar soup all over my shirt. I'm a class act. 

P.S. I got tired of waiting to change out Dan's glasses so I just bought a pair of my own. Best purchase ever.  

thank you yet again, Chili's

Dress/Sweater: Target, Shoes: Payless

hair sticking to neck = #1 reason why i hate humidity

Note the cat attempting to forage for the empty tuna can in the background. Classy, Houston. 

It is humid. 

To be fair, I am in the south so I guess I should've seen that coming. I prefer my dry-er heat back in California but seeing as my brilliant idea of going back to the sunshine state (or is that Florida?) didn't go over well with my husband or my summer class schedule I guess I'll be roughing it in this wet, sticky heat. You probably won't see my hair down again for the next 4 months.

Better news: when we were trying to assemble items for margaritas last night we could not find sugar crystals for the rim of my glass. When we stopped by Chili's to pick me up some fries (yes, I know, I have a problem) I asked the nice girl at the counter where they got the sugar crystals for their strawbery margaritas. She didn't know the precise location but she did go grab my a take home cup FULL of sugar crystals that taste like vanilla! Oh. My. Lord.  I have decided that there is no other way to drink a diet pepsi than to have vanilla flavored sugar crystals on the rim. Seriously, try it. It will change your life.

you know you live in the south when...

Sweet Tea is available at every establishment. But really, let's just call it sugar water. Call it what it is. We tried it. Dan likes it. I prefer my tea to be black and unsweetened. Call me old fashioned. Just one of the many glorious pastimes I've encountered here in the south. 

wilmington with the burkharts

Yesterday we visited the Battleship North Carolina. Which was great until we went below deck and I started to feel like I was on the Titanic and water was going to come flooding through the hallways and I would be stuck behind the cage door being told by some jerk of an attendant to "go back to the main stairwell" because, let's face it, I am not going to be in first class on the Titanic. Titanic has given me a complex -- terror when below deck on a ship and the odd assurance that someone painting you nude is utterly romantic and not incredibly awkward. Then we went to the beach and walked around for a while, enjoyed the beautiful view, and played in the sand. Vacations are great, even when they are not mine. 

big green socks.

Well, apparently mother nature thought all us folk out here in Wilmington, NC had been just too spoiled this early on in the spring season, so, after two weeks of 70-80 degree glorious days we were *ahem* blessed with rain today. Unfortunately, nobody gave me the memo that dear mother sent out. So I wore flats to class this morning, like most every other day, and by the time I was walking out of the building it was raining cold rain. My poor feet/shoes. It was not pretty. Luckily my Marine husband has lots of classy green, wool socks which I quickly pulled onto my numb feet. I also made myself some hot chocolate. Which, lets face it, tastes way better on cold, blustery days. 

stay

Staycation: (n); a vacation taken within a short distance of one's home.

I think Wilmington is growing on me. Although, I do think I was lied to. We went to the ocean today, the first time I've ever seen the Atlantic Ocean, and the water was not warm. Everyone told me how warm the water on the east coast is, yada, yada, yada. Well, they did not speak truth. But it's okay, the dunes here are pretty and we found our way to an awesome tiki bar. After the beach we went to the batting cages to hit a few -- yep, I'm as good as I ever was (batting about a .100 = not very good). I like that we didn't have to go far to feel like we are exploring new places and seeing new things. It helps that we live in a beach town where thousands of people come every summer for vacation. Wanna visit? We have a fabulous futon waiting just for you.

saint pat

It would seem that my spring break really started today. Daniel took some leave in order to hang out with me on my break and we had a blast. We started by going to breakfast at this little diner tucked into a residential area. After breakfast we went for a hike on a trail at Poplar Grove, an old plantation in Wilmington -- super beautiful. Dan made corn-beef and cabbage for dinner and we drank some Guinness in honor of good ole saint patrick. And what saint patty's day could be complete without a trip to the bar? $1 Irish Red Ale? I'll have two.

give it to me straight

All of this needs to be in our apartment. Now.

Spring break rocks.

We were driving to the book store after church on Sunday and I saw these antique-y furniture shops and I was so excited I almost made Dan stop right then! But then I realized that I had all this week to go explore. There were two shops and the first one I went to the lady was so nice and the selection was amazing and I just loved it. Who doesn't need a mosaic jester in their home? Don't act like you're not impressed. But I was on a mission. 

I have done absolutely no decorating in our bedroom:

This could be attributed to laziness or a serious lack of fundulation. Judging by the unmade bed, I'm gonna bet on the former. Either way, I decided we need a headboard, or something like it. I was going to make one but the whole project was going to run me about $400 dollars so that will be a project for the future me who has money to burn and a garage with a power saw. I decided to go for a more eclectic look and found some amazing shutters and windows and huge frames and doors and well, I just can't decide what to do. I'm taking the mister with me this week because I want to get his artistic opinion as well as the okay to spend what could be seen as enough money to necessitate the approval of both spouses -- at least in our starving-student little world. So guys, do me a solid and give me your honest opinion -- do you see any options that you love?

grease monkeys

We were trying to show you how dirty our hands got.

Dan works on cars. And he likes it. Both of our car's brakes are pretty bad, unfortunately mine will need to see a doctor, but the Dan's truck was Dan-fixable, so last night when he got home we set to work in the parking lot. Being the super helpful person that I am, I brought beer and goldfish -- because working on cars makes you thirsty and hungry. Dan did most the work and I played Scrabble Blast! and said really helpful things like: "I think that goes there" and "You're really hot." I think he appreciated it. Then he put me to work and I had to hand him things and use a can to catch brake fluid, which led to a lesson on hydraulic power, or something like that. My hands got dirty (because I work on cars), and I'm pretty sure we set an all time record for replacing brake pads: less than 1 hour. What a team we make. Burkharts are winners.

without a cause.

T-shirt/Sweater: Target, Skirt: H&M, Flats: Urban Outfitters

I grew impatient waiting for the sun to go down so I took the picture with a major sun glare. It's cool, you've seen the skirt before. Last night we grilled. I think it's against the rules of our apartment complex but we just can't help it. We are rebels. Plus, we like good food and we eat well :) Plus, husband likes fire. I think it's a guy thing. No, actually, fire is just plain cool. Hope you all had as a relaxing weekend as us :)

Weekend Lovin

Tops/Sweaters: Target, Jeans: H&M, Flats: Payless

Today we celebrated the 1st birthday of this little fella. He is so stinkin adorable, look at those cheeks! It was the first time we had been to the beach area out here in Wilmington and it was a fabulous day for it. 

P.S. check out that cute handsome & rugged, smokin' hot guy playing football. Yep, I'm lucky.