Cool Find

For the most part try to stay clear of Walmart, nothing personal I just rarely have a nice experience shopping in the store. But these $16.00 beach towels were well worth my trip today!!! I love geometric shapes, I love baby blue, and I love big towels. They are made of 100% cotton and measure 40 in x 72" - that's a nice size. My only complaint is that I wish they were a little thicker, but they are great for wrapping around your body.

You would never guess these came from Wally World. They are not yet available online so check out your local Walmart. I came home with the aqua quatrefoil design but might need to make a trip for another one.

Marry You Me

It's Friday and my mind is filled with complete randomness or on complete overload (you decide): I have a big painting project this weekend for a little girl's nursery. I am most excited about the color she chose for the walls - BM Pristine (pale pink). I love new babies and the color pink and my paint brush. Also have about four different sewing projects going on right now. Covering an ottoman for myself which has been put on the back burner, recovering outdoor patio cushions with this beautiful rich fabric, sewing linen curtains for the baby above "Little Miss Elizabeth", and fixing a few clothes. The kitchen table has turned into my command center with little pieces of thread everywhere. I have a reception tomorrow night in which I am the photographer - yikes very scary - but it should be a blast, no pressure. Only 155 days and counting till we say "I DO" - wishing it would come sooner. And finally, being sooo very thankful for the warmer beautiful weather we are having.

Happy Friday Everyone!!!!

How dreamy is this picture (even with the snow):

Tiffany & Company's winter advertisement

My Productivity Depends On It..

It's almost a sin how much I have coveted this desk from Restoration Hardware. I have a picture of it on my iphone and on every computer I own, and sometimes I just stare at it when I am feeling blue. Britt has a little nook in his living room that this little beauty would fit perfectly in, and my Mac would look so good sitting right on top of the thick glass top. It is the perfect mix of modern and rustic and so unique. The corbel is made of hand carved reclaimed teak wood (drool). I can only imagine for now how amazingly productive I would be if I could work from this very desk. Now I have to mention the only bad thing about this beauty - and you probably guessed it - the price is ummm ouch. Hope you all enjoy!!!

Here is a picture of the desk all installed and decorated - get out of that picture and into my house!!!

David Gray

He's coming, He's coming!! All the way to New Orleans and we just bought tickets (insert huge smiley face here!!!). I love him, I have loved him for many years and he's coming. Did I mention that he is coming and I get to go see him!!! Sit back, press play, and enjoy!

This years love had better last

Heaven knows it's high time

And I've been waiting on my own too long

But when you hold me like you do

It feels so right

I start to forget

How my heart gets torn

When that hurt gets thrown

Feeling like you can't go on

Turning circles when time again

It cuts like a knife oh no

If you love me got to know for sure

Cause it takes something more this time

Than sweet sweet lies oh no

Before I open up my arms and fall

Losing all control

Every dream inside my soul

And when you kiss me

On that midnight street

Sweep me off my feet

Singing ain't this life so sweet

This years love had better last

This years love had better last

So whose to worry

If our hearts get torn

When that hurt gets thrown

Don't you know this life goes on

And won't you kiss me

On that midnight street

Sweep me off my feet

Singing ain't this life so sweet

This years love had better last

This years love had better last

This years love had better last

All You Need is Love

Today Britt and I celebrate one complete entire year of dating, or 365 days of falling head over heels in love with each other. It's been a whirlwind of fun, adventure, and surprise. I wanted to capture all the things we have done this past year so I surprised him with a photobook of our first year together. Looking back so much has happened in just one year. We did a lot of traveling, we "survived" all the holidays together, ran in a few races, and celebrated good times with some amazingly fabulous friends.

So back to my book.... I loved making this photo book. I spend hours putting this little thing together, collecting pictures, editing pictures, uploading and organizing them just perfectly. It was so worth it and I was so proud to give him this book of our first memories together. A huge tilt of the hat to Snapfish for printing the book in such high quality. Hopefully, this is the first book of many more milestones to a long wonderful life together. Next edition: The Wedding!!! (then maybe a baby carriage??!!??)

Cover

First Page

Trip to Vegas

Mardi Gras

Jump Jump

Back Cover

Buddy O Fitness Pal

It's official I no longer look good in my itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini!!! And I refuse to wait till "after Christmas" or for my "New Years resolution." Today is the day people, and I am soliciting your support: join with me and be my friend (user name: annmarie337). No fears - its totally free!!! When you have something that is total free I am usually going to give it a try. I joined My Fitness Pal last year about this time and with the help of the website and a 6 week boot camp I finally kicked those pesky 10 lbs that lurk in my belly. One year later and those lbs have creeped back and I blame it all on my boyfriend, and that Key Lime Pie. My Fitness Pal is the coolest online calorie counter out there, and yes fellow iphoners: they have an app for that!!! After you enter your weight, height, and goals it will tell you how many calories you can have per day. And simply begin logging your food. They have a huge database so just about anything you can fit in your mouth they can count the calories for you.

Here is a screen shot of my food diary for the day so far:

And below is the screen shot of my exercise diary for today. Proudly I was up at 5am preparing for a "nice and smooth" spin class with my favorite instructor. The website adds whatever calories you burned during your exercise back into what you can eat for the day. So if you overeat just get your butt in the gym and work it off. You can even run reports on your progress, the geek in my loves all the graphics and charts!!

Did I mention its all completely FREE!!!

Randomness

I have been so busy this week which makes me a bad blogger. I have many projects going on around the house and as soon as time allows I will put the finishing touches on them and snap some pictures for you guys. Over the Thanksgiving holidays I found some amazing fabric on ebay and sewed curtains for Britt's bedroom. I am still in pursuit of more fabric to make pillows for the bedding. I have also taken on a huge project re-covering an old ottoman and just to make it a little more difficult I am using a printed fabric. I am about 70% done thanks to the help of my dear friend Clare. We got a new faucet for the spare bathroom, and I want to do a little "picture tutorial" "do it yourself" "how to" on changing out the faucet. It's really easy, as I learned last time. So, many new things to come but my mind and body are preoccupied with things at work and personal things. Hopefully, I can get back to my projects and more importantly blogging about them soon.

In the mean time I leave you with a picture of my favorite rose. The John Paul II rose, its white and creamy and smells like a flowery heaven. I cut back my rose bushes on labor day in preparation for the winter, but winter has not come our way yet so my roses are in full bloom. The buds are a bit smaller than the summer buds but they smell just as sweet. I also heard this famous poem on "Brothers and Sisters" last Sunday and it warmed my heart - it was also in the film "In Her Shoes." It has been a favorite of mine since studying ee cummings in college. His style is all his own and its all about rule-breaking with spelling and punctuation. The perfectionist side of me cringes at the site of the poem but then again I have never been good at spelling and punctuation. I remember as a young child having to show my report card to my Dad having my first "D" in spelling. I hated spelling anything from that point on. So go ahead Mr. ee and dance to the beat of your own drum and rock the world with your simple elegant love words!!! This poem captures the beauty of romance and at the same time capturing that deep eternal connection shared with the ones we love.

This one is for you Britt!!

i carry your heart with me

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in

my heart)i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing, my darling)

i fear

no fate(for you are my fate, my sweet)i want

no world(for beautiful you are my world, my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

Now Playing.....

"The Blind Side" movie with Sandra Bullock opens today!!!! I have been waiting to see this movie the first time the trailers started airing on cable. So tonight on the menu: raw sushi and salty tears. I can not even watch the trailer without crying, so I hope they hand out tissue with my popcorn. The movie is based on the life of NFL football player Michael Oher, a homeless kid who is taken in by a local family and given a second chance. I love inspiring movies with people who have the courage to step outside the comfort zone, against society, and follow a road less traveled.

Did I mention that hunk a hunk Tim McGraw plays that Dad.

I hope you all have a relaxing, fun, inspiring weekend!!!!

Shaken or Stirred? Who Cares

A few weeks ago my best bud and I went to a martini party at our favorite watering/feeding hole. They served us suburb sushi as always, and showed us how to mix a few of our favorite drinks. We stumbled out of the place after tasting a good bit of 6 different drinks, but I mantained my pose enough to remember my favorites of the night. And you guessed it - I'm passing them right on to you. So happy drinking and please drink responsible enough for the both of us!! O' and Happy Hump Day.

Cable Car

1.5 oz Oronoco Rum

0.75 oz Orange Curacao

0.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

Chocolate Martini

1.5 oz Godiva Liqueur

1.5 oz Cream

0.5 oz Ketel One Vodka

Baked

It's Monday afternoon and I am still in shock that the weekend is over and another work week has begun. I heard this song on the radio on my drive this morning and it always makes me wanna move my hips. So all of you with the same Monday morning/afternoon blues, turn up the volume and dance like no one is watching!!!

My Hips Sing a Song

I love the new Dove commercial, and find myself smiling every time it comes on TV (and humming along). Yes society I have flaws and thank you Dove for reminding me that they are beautiful. It makes me so sad when people make fun of other for their imperfections. Let's all learn to rejoice in the things that make us unique, and love the way God made us.

Two thumbs up and a huge step in the right direction!!!

Do your eyes sit wide

Does your nose turn to the side

Do your elbows kind of crinkle

Do your knees sort of wrinkle

Does your chest tend to freckle

Do you have a crooked smile

Do your eyes sit wide

Do your ears sort of wiggle

Does your hair make you giggle

Does your neck grow long

Do your hips sing a song

Do your ears hang low

Pink for October

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise money for research into its cause, prevention and cure. I lost my Mom to Breast Cancer in 1987 she was 37. Today is a prime opportunity to remind everyone to save the ta-tas!!! Early detection can save lives so all you woman reading this - feel your boobies, or go show your ta-tas (to a doctor silly)!!!! 

In honor of pink for October here is one of my favorite little girl's rooms found in The Rug Company's catalog in pink of course: 

Summer is Slippin' Away

Good Bye: short sleeves, bare feet, sandcastles, grills, popsicles, pool, water fights, 

picnics in the shade, ice cream trucks, sunburn, baseball, flip flops, salty air, 

hotdogs, tubing, sundresses. 

Today marks the end of summer and that makes for a very sad day.

The Sequel

Ms. Carrie Bradshaw or the now Mrs. John James Preston will grace us again on the big screen with a squeal next summer. They have already shot some of the movie in Morocco and New York this summer. Can Carrie and Big really be happily married, could a baby be in their future? Mark you calenders girlfriend May 28th, 2010 - a night of sushi, cosmopolitans, and fashion. My only question: Can I wait THAT LONG? 

"In life we do things. Some we wish we had never done, some we wish we could replay a million times in our heads, but they all make us who we are. And in the end, those experiences shape every deatail about us. If we were to reverse any of them, we wouldn't be at the exact place that we are today. So just live. Make mistakes, and have a wonderful time but never ever second guess who you are, where you have been, and most importantly, where it is that you are going."  - Carrie Bradshaw

Soul Is Waterproof

This past weekend marked 4 years since Katrina demolished the town of New Orleans and my simple little life as I knew it. After my worldly travels I decided that I missed college and wanted to "get smarter" by furthering my education (what the hell was I thinking?). UNO was on my list of schools, one of my best friends was living in New Orleans, so we decided to get a house together. We found a beautiful rent house in Lake View. The landlord had just gutted the entire house and everything was fresh and new. For almost 2 years we made some GREAT memories in that house!

And the horror of Katrina shows up. My sister was in Lafayette, and nine months pregnant with her second child. I anxiously waited for the phone call to head home because the baby was coming. Friday morning I got the call and by that afternoon I had packed an outfit, some cute shoes, and cruised to Lafayette. Needless to say, and unbeknown to the common public, Katrina was following a day behind me. Saturday they began evacuating and I was so excited about the mandatory vacation, which meant more time with little Emily!!! Well by Tuesday I slowly realized that this little vacation was soon to be permanent, and that I had no home/life/school/job to go back to. Our home had been under about 8 feet of water for 5 days. We made a trip to the house a few weeks after the storm to find our beautiful home water logged and mildewed. I picked up a sledgehammer and with tears streaming down my face busted open my nightstand, grabbed my mothers wedding rings and walked out of my life as I knew it. Here are some pictures we took that day.....yuck!! 

Tree fell on the back of the house and crushed the kitchen

 

My once cute bedroom

            

Living & dining room (walls were covered in mildew)

With a Twist of Vintage

I came across this website from other blogs that I have read. It takes your current photographs and turns them into vintage photos. I have always loved old photographs, so I had tons of fun playing around with my pictures. The website is in Japanese but it is really easy to figure out. Just click on the 'choose file' tab to pick your picture and then click the blue button under that to upload. Don't forget to right-click and save your vintage pictures. Have fun making yourself old!!

Here are some of my favorites from my collection of pictures:

                                                            

My Niece Emily at the beach (the sand got her dress dirty)

In March Britt and I went to Vegas and stayed at the 

Bellagio Hotel, here is a shot of the swimming pool

 

Picture of us in front of the Venetian Hotel waterways

Cool Kids Club!!

For Me? Thanks for the award Amy!!! I am new to having/ writing/ owning my very on blog. It's been a fabulous experience and it's kinda become my scrapbook on life. I have never been good at following rules, but here are a few rules to follow on this post: On receiving this award, make sure you tag/link the person that gave you the award. When you post your 5 winners, make sure you link them as well. Also, include your 5 addictions for everyone to relish in!

My top 5 addictions:

APPLE - Not the kind you eat everyday to keep the doctor away but the kind that keeps this blog alive. Yes I am secretly in love with Steve Jobs and Yes I am a closeted computer nerd.

RED WINE - I would no sooner cut off my left pinkie (what use is it anyway?) than live my life without the all relaxing, all healing, all powerful glass of wine. People don't get me wrong I love my pinkie for I am a very vain person but wine trumps certain body parts.

MAKE-UP COUNTERS - Some people prefer talking to a stranger, some (rolling my eyes) prefer exercising, I find my inner peace and therapeutic sessions most healing at the make-up counter with the likes of Dior, Laura Mercier, Chanel, and Mac.

BRITTON - The moment I laid eyes on this man my world has been turned upside down, and life had become pretty boring right side up. Hello, my name is Ann Marie, and I am addicted to a wonderful man!!

DECOR - I simply have an OBSESSIVE compulsive personality when it comes to that sweet little place we all call home. If I am surrounded by beauty and cleanliness I feel like a calm complete person capable of anything. Everything has to be perfect therefore I could (and sometimes do) spend hours strolling through home decorating blogs.

My current top 5 favorite blogs:

Shelter (interior design), Tyler Florence Fridays(fav chef does a twitter cooking class on fridays), and Life of Mark (cause he is just that funny). Wait that's only three.

In Tennis Love Means Zero

I usually don't like to post negative things here just cause life can throw enough negativity your way and this little blogshere world is my escape from all that. But sometimes you have to take the good with the bad. So let's see, are you one of those who likes the bad news first or the good news first? Well this is my world, and I always like to share good news first.

Our USTA Lafayette 7.0 mixed doubles tennis team is STATE bound!! After a grueling summer we finishing the season with a very impressive 9-2 record. So, lets rip the band aid off and give the bad news: last night my tennis partner Jerry and I lost our final match of the season and therefore lost the bragging rights to be called Division Champs. We were on top all season and actually finished in a 9 win 2 lost tie with Team Nguyen, but Nyguen has fewer individual and set loses than us, and so they are declared Division Champs in the final hour. Congrats to them!!

Yesterday, in a corageous performance, Jerry and I made a gallant comeback in both sets of the final court of our rain-out with Team Toby only to finally capitulate on court 1, 6-7, 5-7. We were down 1-4 in the first set and made a magnificent run to rally and tie the score at 5 all. We went on to win the next game to go up 6-5, then tied again at 6-6 necessitating a tie-break in which we lost the first set 7-5. The second set we started slow again and found ourselves down 5-2 but Jerry & I gutted out 3 wins in a row to tie the game 5-5 again. But the other team prevailed in the next 2 games to give us our hardest loss of the season. Our team plays 3 courts every week and the best 2 out of 3 courts take home the "W". With court 2 coming out with a victory and court 3 falling to a 3rd set tie breaker our team was handed our 2nd loss of the season. The USTA league takes the top two teams from each division so we are still state bound, and Champs in my book. We travel to Mandeville, Louisiana the second week in September for tournament play. Wish us LUCK!!!

"There is no team, like the best team, which is our team, right here."

- You're a Good Man Charlie Brown

Love minus the Love Handles

Surprise, Surprise!!!  Look what I found on my keychain last night as I was leaving Britt's house. 

It is official - we are members of Red's Health Club.  This is a first for me, hard to believe I am 32 and still a Red's virgin.  I have used the enormous facilities with friends and playing tennis for league, but never have I called myself a member. No more. I am not the minority in this red forsaken town anymore, I will pack myself in the meat market and perspire my way into a healthy lifestyle.  

January 2008 I joined a little gym by my house, starting waking up at 5 am five days a week to workout. I ran my first triathlon last year, and actually fulfilled my New Years Resolution. The gym became a way of life and I jumped at many opportunities to do boot camps and classes. Fast forward to January 2009 and I have not seen the break of dawn in 6 months. I met "the one" and spent many late nights and extravagant dinners getting to know him. The end result was love and an additional 10 lbs of fat. So, the coffee break is over, it's time to get back on the saddle, update the shuffle, and dust off the alarm clock. 

All 5am phone calls are welcome!!

First Official Post

   

Here we go, I am going to give this blog thing a try.  My hesitation thus far comes from not being that great of a writer, but what I lack in words I seem to make up for in my photos and humor. 

So, just like walking into a room full of strangers - let me introduce myself. I have a great life, a small life, but a great life.  I grew up in a little town in Southern Louisiana with an amazing family.  I did the college thing because that 'would make Dad proud', and the second they put that degree in my hand I decided to sell everything I owned to travel the world doing mission work. Two years later I figured it was time to start living in the real world.  So, here I am today, working 9-5, falling in love, and having the time of my life!!

It feels kinda nice to have my own personal place to share my thoughts, wisdom, hobbies and plain old life experiences.  My life has taken me on a very interesting journey, one that has left me at times feeling scattered and confused.  But I have become aware that the past is important and necessary in discovering myself and finding true happiness.  

There you have it: my birth into the blogosphere word as we know it.