It Has Been A While..

So life has been busy, not so busy, and everything in between.  I swear pregnancy makes you want to clean the house top to bottom one day not stopping, and just lie in bed for hours on others.  Baby girl is all over my sciatic nerve right now, which makes certain activities...interesting.  Walking the pups is a walk in the park, literally, or a pain in my ass.  Literally.

I have been finishing rooms in the house, pondering how to decorate a nursery, and cooking up a storm.  Trying new recipes has always been a fav of mine.  But I have been "killing" it lately.  Hehe.

I had a great weekend too.  Not just one of those, "I did a million things and let me instagram all about it" kind of weekends.  A weekend of just seeing girl friends, and spending all day Saturday and Sunday with my dear husband.  We did so much for each other, and just enjoyed each others company so much.  Have you ever had a weekend where you felt so much love? Yep.  That was this weekend.

Here are a few photos to tide you over.

I make some delicious enchiladas.  

Marianos had $5 bouquets.  Who turns that down?

Dinner at date night.  So good.  Thank you Cafe Touche!

Date night.  24 weeks.  

Friday night with my lovelies.  

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I had a great weekend out and about in the city I love.

I had a date night Friday with the husband.  Our fav sushi place, and a movie.  Couldn't be better.

Saturday I went downtown with my friends, met up with family, and spent most of the day downtown.  I ended up in my own neighborhood, and just relaxed!

Sunday, I stayed in my neighborhood with family and neighbors and had a great time.  I normally go to the South Side Irish parade, but decided on a change of pace this year..

Makes me so incredibly happy to be home!

Daley Plaza

Obligatory Selfie

What are your St. Patrick's Day Traditions?

Farewell to Jax

I hate goodbyes.  Like.  Hate.

So instead of just looking at a goodbye in the face, I tend to avoid them at all costs.

I had a good few final days in Jax.  You can see them in pictures below..

Date Night at Marker 32.  

Dinner with Friends at the Schnizel Haus

Quite Possibly the Best Sandwich I have ever had.

Last Duty Day.  See that smile!!

Neighborhood Highlights: San Marco

So I feel like I never get out and about in Jacksonville.  Mostly because every chance I get, I fly to Chicago.  Can't blame me!!

So for my big 33, I had a friend meet me up at Taverna in San Marco.  It was December, 79 degrees outside, and pure heaven.  We sat outdoors, and just soaked up the weather, and amazing food.
Must try their caprese salad.  Best I have ever had.

Friends since 2000.  College life, ship life, real life.  Love her!

Complimentary Prosecco for my birthday.  Yesss! 

We then went out to Painting with a Twist.  We didn't do the "twist", aka, drink while painting.  My work would have been a disaster, albeit fun.

Starry Night ala Jacksonville

Finished Products

Can't wait to display this at my new house!

You may remember that I had an incredible date night with Mike last year at Matthews.  Such a great "fancy, shmancy" date spot.  Must for anniversary dinner.  Dress up, eat escargot.  Win. Win.

Rent the Runway baby!

1 Month!!

I have been married to this guy for a month now..and I couldn't be happier!  I can't wait to see him soon for the holiday.  Living apart sucks, but it is worth the final out come; being under the same roof very, very soon.

Thanksgiving at Capital Grille

Virginia is for Lovers

While travelling for work...aka..sailing on the Atlantic..we stopped in VA for over a week.  I put in for leave so I could see my baby, as we hadn't seen each other in over two months.

Leave approved!!

I picked him up after my duty day, and we hit up my favorite dive bar, Greenies.  Then, we checked into our hotel, the Marriott at Waterside.  Thank goodness for Meghan for setting that up for us!

We had dinner at Shulas..amazing!  Then we met up with friends at my favorite bar in downtown Norfolk, Hells Kitchen.  I love me a purgatory.

Sunday we spent the morning with some great friends from Department Head school.  It was nice to catch up!

That evening we saw some Chicago friends, and were able to catch up with them over some great dinner and wine in Virginia Beach.

It was a short, whirlwind weekend, but much needed with my love!

General MacArthur and me.

Love this girl!

Love him!

I Love To Play Dress Up

So this shouldn't sound as creepy as the title may sound.  But I love to dress up.  Wearing camo all day, I mean-really?!  I nice dress and a night out on the town is something every girl needs.  But how to keep down that cost?  Well I don't have any need to have crazy dresses just sit in my closet, so I Rent the Runway.  Check out some of my previous rentals here, here and here! 

I rented two dresses when I went home on vacation, and I loved them both. 

Love!

LBD!

Birthdays and Ballgames!

So my Chicago trip continues onto Birthdays and Ballgames!  You can read about part 2 here!

I took my guy to Hot Dougs for his birthday.  Lame?  Of course not?!  Who doesn't want some encased meats for their big day.  I had two hot dogs..yes, cheated on my diet.  But then again, I was in Chicago.  The 4 pounds gained was worth it.  I had a pear, wine, and fresh herb pork sausage hot dog with fig peach mayonnaise and jalapeno Havarti cheese.  Soo good.  Sooo sooo good.  We had to go again because this place shuts its doors for good in October.  Mike and I went a few years ago, so we had to go again!



Cheesing.  Waiting in line. 



Yum. 

For dinner I took him to Gather.  The food was incredible.  The service even better.  I had some great halibut..and really want to go back!  We had some time to kill before we met up with some friends for drinks, so I convinced him to go to a bistro for dessert.  We had some profiteroles with some Bordeaux.  So good.  Seriously, the night was a real treat.  After missing his birthday for a few years, it was the least I could do!  We then met some girl friends of mine at a bar.  Great end to a great night! 



Love these girls!

 

 

The next day, we met up with a group of friends from near and far to go to the Cubs game.  Cubs vs the Marlins.  Such a fun time sharing the game with my friends from high school and college.  The college girls flew in from VA to spend the weekend with me.  The high school gals came in from a far as well.  So blessed to have these girls in my life!

 

Go Cubs!



 

Date Night: 5 Valentines Day Date Ideas

I am not that "big" on Valentine's day.  I feel that you should celebrate your love more than one time a year, but..I will go out of my way to do something special for the one I love!

So here are some great date ideas for you and that special person:

1. Dinner and the Opera/Show.  I know.  Sounds crazy!  I took my guy to a great steak house and to the Opera 3 years ago for Valentine's Day (we celebrated on the 15th, because we both had to work on the 14th).  One bonus, it was cheaper!  Less hype!  I got the opera tix on groupon, and it was $150 total, and dinner was about $150 at a great Chicago steakhouse.  Yes, $300.  But honestly, worth every penny.

2. Cook at home.  Make your guys favorite dinner.  If I came home and made him meatloaf, he would be ecstatic.  Cooking your guy their favorite meal is showing love all in itself.  Plus dessert.  Can't forget dessert.  I would go with gelato, or chocolate covered strawberries!  Yumm. 

3. Movie night.  Watch your favorite movie together.  Take out, movie, couch, blankets...candles.  Can't go wrong!

4. Have a "Ferris Buellers Day Off" in your city.  Make a day of it.  Go to your favorite sights, restaurants, coffee house, etc.  One of my favorite dates was at 11 am waiting in line at Hot Dougs in Chicago!

5. Wine and Cheese tasting at home.  Find some good vino at Binny's, Whole Foods, etc, and try new things.  Make sure you have a fall back, and buy stuff you know you already like.  No one likes crappy wine on their date night. 

I am fairly certain #3 has already won for this year's date night! 
I can't wait!

Jacksonville Weekend @ Home

My fiancé came to visit this weekend, and we had an amazing time!  The logistics were hairy because I was at sea, but luckily a friend of mine picked up Mike at the airport while we were entering port.  He then brought Mike to the ship, and we all took off to Seven Bridges Brewery.  I love their food and beer..especially any kind of mac and cheese they make.  Yumm.

The next morning, I took my guy to Mimi's Café for breakfast.  I love their muffins and mimosas.  I mean, who doesn't?  Then I dropped him off at the apartment so I could get a manicure and groceries.  I figured he wouldn't want to endure the "girly" part of the day, so he relaxed at home with Bella.  I may or may not be addicted to gel/no-chip manicures, since my job is a bit unforgiving on the hands.  The nails were almost out of standards with the Navy, so I had to get them trimmed down.  I then made him this for lunch, and we relaxed at home doing some much needed wedding planning.  After the relaxing afternoon planning fest, we went and got dolled up for date night.  I took him to Matthew's, and it was everything I expected and more!  We ordered foie gras, escargot, for appetizers, and I ordered gnocchi for my entrée, he ordered the grouper.  We shared a Mexican chocolate souffle.  I was so impressed by the ambiance, the service, and above all, the food. 

Sunday, we woke up late, and I made this.  I love this recipe, turns out he doesn't like baked oatmeal.  Lesson learned.  I will continue to make it for me, and make an alternative for him.  We then went to lunch at the North Beach Fish Camp.  I had some amazing Fish Tacos.  I can't wait to go back.  The location was great, and the food was even better.  We killed some time walking around, and then hit up the jetty's where we took  Engagement photos.  I can't wait to see how they turned out!  We went home, and I make him his favorite dinner.  I made him meatloaf, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and steamed green beans.  I will post the meatloaf recipe soon!  We relaxed, and watched We're the Millers.  Hilarious.   

Monday, I had to work in the am:(  Luckily it was a quick pop in, and left to take him to sushi at Bento, and then to the airport. 

I am so happy we had a bit of a staycation this weekend.  We were able to enjoy time together, eat great food, and just have fun! 

Mimis Café.  Yum. 



Rent the Runway.  Dress for Date night!

Blueberry Oatmeal in the making

Oatmeal baby

Cocktails at North Beach Fish Camp



Amazing Fish Tacos!

Beach walk..

Sunday night dinner.  Yum!

A Magical Chicago Christmas!!

So the past 10 days have been a whirlwind.  Family, friends, holidays...travel..you name it!

Let us start where the journey began on December 20th!

I had a tough week at work that week, and I was so excited to go home.  My flight was delayed (par for the course), and I was just so pumped to see my baby.  I got home around 8pm, and he picked me up at O'Hare, and we headed out to our favorite Sushi restaurant.  We had our usual dinner, some wine, and just had the best conversation. 

As we walked in the door, I noticed that the house smelled amazing.  Way better than usual.  That is when I noticed this waiting for me in the kitchen!

That is right ladies.  Roses.  Not just a dozen, but 100.  The smell is intoxicating.  There was also a beautiful love letter on the table.

As I was trying to take all of this in, I was summoned into the Living Room by my guy.

He told me to take a look at his Christmas tree.

I looked at his tree, and said, "nice".  I cleary did NOT see what he wanted me to see, as I had just taken off my glasses.  I went back in the kitchen, put my glasses on, and looked again. 

I may or may not have pointed, and screamed, and the engagement ring sitting on the branch at the top!  I was stunned, and crying tears of joy as my boyfriend put the ring on my hand, and asked me to marry him. 

Perfect proposal.  Just us.  In our house, with our pup (only 1 of em, the other stayed in FL), in our city.

I couldn't be happier.  Stay tuned for more posts from my trip!!

Weekend in the Windy City

I was able to spend this weekend with family and friends in the Windy City.  I was able to relax with my boyfriend, and just see some of my favorite places and people.

We had lunch in the neighborhood, dinner with my middle brother (who may or may not have won a huge race this weekend), made breakfast for my guy...had date night at our usual steak place, drinks up north with friends..fish fry with the next door neighbors for the Bears game...

I haven't had a good, relaxing weekend like this in a long time.  I wish I had seen more people, but next time my dears!

Gold Sperry Loafers.  Love

Half a slice of pumpkin pie @ Wildfire

Celtic Crown

Bear Down

Free Popcorn bc I am a vet.  Awesome treat at O'Hare!

Trip to Annapolis....day 1

So after my quick trip to VA to visit family, I picked up my boyfriend at the airport, so we could spend the weekend in Annapolis, Maryland.  He had never been there before, and I have been about a dozen times for various occasions.  Football games, parties..you name it. 

When we arrived, we went on a tour of the Academy with a friend of ours, Adam..as we were in town for his wedding!  Mike loved the tour!  After the tour we ate lunch at Armadillos.  Yum!  I may or may not have assisted the economy with a serious shopping spree at Re-Sails, Lou Lou, Black Dog, and the Pink Crab.  

After my shopping binge, we had "date night" at O'Briens.  I love their food.  We had oysters Rockefeller, some crab cakes, and white wine.  We then met up with friends at the Federal House, for pre-wedding festivities.  After that, some more cocktails before bed...

Meeting up with my Navy gals was the highlight of the day.  I miss my girls!