Knit Graffiti

"Knit Graffiti", or "Yarn Bombing", or "Knitta". All names for a special type of graffiti Or at least that's what I've seen these types of things called.

This one was spotted in Shirlington between CakeLove and the library. p.s.- save the calories and DON'T eat at CakeLove. It was gross. I didn't like the frosting so I scraped it off...but then I was like WHY am I eating the calories for a cupcake without frosting?!?!

If any of you all live in the area, you should totally check out the Village at Shirlington! So many cute little shops and places to eat, particularly Guapos, the Cheese Shop, Busboys and Poets, and the list goes on and on. Since its not metro accessible I don't usually make it down there but when I do, I'm always happy!

A Splash of Color

I'm like a kid in a candy store when I see fun displays like this. Just LOOK at all that color! I found this display that lit up my life at the local Fresh Market store close to my work. I might have to go back again, just to see all this color! I work in a drab government building during the day, I need all the color I can get in my life! You know, besides the orange skirts, pink shirts, and neon green pants I wear and hot pink notebook I carry!

Nikki's Bridal Shower

Well, its that time! My bestie from waaaaaaaaaaay back is getting married!!! AAAHHHHH I can't believe it! Wow,I've known Nikki since high school, that's a really long time! Nikki is marrying an amazing guy, James, in just two short weeks! I can't wait to take the train down to Raleigh and celebrate this amazing marriage!

p.s.-the picture above is my MOST FAVORITIST (yes, I just said that) picture of the three of us (Nikki, Melissa, and I). It was taken in 2007, the summer of our hot messes but I don't think I could have survived without you two!

 

Cute cupcakes that Melissa made!

 

 

You know how much we all love food!

 

Yay for pretty beverages and table set ups!

 

How adorable is this?!?!!? Great idea for leftover corks!

 

 More yummy food!

 

 

Unlike other boring bridal showers, we actually had a FUN wine tasting! 

See, this is why I love my friends!!!

This Day in History v.27

Me in front of one of my future houses when I marry Prince Harry.

I love doing something or going somewhere and then later finding out how cool it is or some sort of history. Such as here when I snapped this picture of a call box in DC then later found out what it was. Well I took this picture back in 2007 or 2008 when I lived in London and my mom had come to visit. I was reading one of my favourite blogs today, Tired of London, Tired of Life, and found out the significance!  The Canada Gates were given to London by Canada in 1905 and is at the entrance of Green Park. I was inside the park and took this picture.

Right near the gate is the Canada Memorial, erected in 1992, which is a tribute to the 113,663 members of the Canadian Forces killed during World Wars I and II. Thank you Wikipedia!

 The Canada Memorial. Interesting its not called the Canadian Memorial...but what do I know?

Ray's Hell Burger

I just HAVE to tell you all about this yummy place that is within walking distance of my diggs! It's called Ray's Hell Burger and its located at:

1725 Wilson Blvd 

Arlington, VA 22209 

It's tucked away in this little shopping center and eating there will literally rock your world. I tell the truth, I promise. It's literally the best burger I've ever had in my life. It's messy, dirty, and juicy (I'm talking the burger, not the facility). Just check out the menu if you don't believe me!

People come from all over to eat here, there is a map of the U.S. and a map of the world with push pins all over it, you have to see it to believe it:

Sorry, I couldn't get a better world picture, these kids were sitting at the

table in front of it....how rude!!!!!

 The only downside - they only accept cash. Womp womp...but they're so extra special to you...they have their own ATM right next to the register. Um, thank you since I'm never prepared!
 
And you know what just made the place 15 billion times better? I just read on their website that you can bring in your own wine...there's no serving or corkage fee......sssccccchhhhhwwwwwiiiinnnngggg!!!!

My Own Version of Personal Hell

This is a picture of my own personal hell (and Hannah's too). Gag. That print just makes me want to gouge my eyes out every time I see it. I know a lot of you out there actually like Vera Bradley...and to that I just want to say I'm sorry. Gross. Gag. Yuck. Blah.

Looks Like Someone Got His Learner's Permit

HEHEHEH I don't know if you can tell (click on the image if you can't) but that is a HUGE St. Bernard in the driver's seat of a car!!!!! I totally walked by thinking it was a person but my boyfriend stopped and commented it was actually a DOG. Of course we had to stop and take a picture!!!!

Moody Mondays

Yep, this about sums up my Monday face.

Thank You Weird Gas Station

This message popped up when I finished filling up my gas tank the other day.  It's kind of hard to have a "smiley day" when you are gouging me on gas prices. Some gas prices in DC are precariously close to $5 a gallon for regular gas. But at least this message made me smile for .174638 seconds.

What Do You Do With 45 Sorority T-shirts?

Duuuuuh guys.... Create a quilt!! I mean, honestly. While it was super fun to collect a bazillion cute Phi Mu t-shirts in college, I don't "do" t-shirts now. Well, except to lounge around the apartment.

Before my grandmother passed away, I asked her to make a quilt from all my old shirts. She was thrilled I had asked her. So I washed and cut all the shirts (I've never had SO much anxiety before) and sent the in the mail to her (you better believe I insured that box for $150... You can't recreate a lifetime of memories). So I sat and waited...and waited.... Until I got the message it had arrived in Arizona. What I got back was amazing. Like amazing. Like life changing (ok, maybe I shouldn't take it that far, but you get my point).

So here it is in all of its glory!

TA-DAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Excuse the crappy iPhone picture

I do still enjoy getting t-shirts though... Like this one from Gamma Delta at AU where I'm an adviser!

Crystal City Friday 5ks

I believe this is the 4th year that Crystal City has put on their 5K Fridays in April. I ran one Friday last year and one Friday the year before that. This year I decided I would change things up and register for the full 4 race series. That and I thought my boyfriend was going to be gone for the majority of April...so why not. Well, he got back in March but I've still tried to run them all. I even got the boyfriend to run the first one before heading to Dewey Beach.

I didn't get a chance to run one of the Fridays because I ended up leaving DC early that day and took some much needed personal time off from work.  I signed up with one of my sorority sisters, Betsy, and had fun being competitive with her one week and then completely hung over (yes, still hung over at 6 PM the next day) running with her the second week.

I can proudly say that I made a PR in the first race!!! (25:47 to be exact!!)  AND even better: I only finished under one minute slower than the boy!!! WOOOOOOOT. So what was out of shape from being on a boat for 2 months...not my problem! And you better believe I kept mentioning the fact I finished less than a minute after he did!

BOOOOOM PR TIME!!!!!

Waiting around to start the race...so many people were running!

Me and Betsy after the race we were hungover. We still managed to finish at 27:20!

Not a PR....but still finished in 26:17!!! That's 8:31 miles! (30 seconds slower than PR time)

King Neptune

While Hannah and I were waiting for Kara and Adam's wedding to start, we made a brief detour out to the Oceanfront. I mean it was RIGHT there!! WHY NOT?!?!?!

The Neptune statue is front and center and I've often seen it but never stood next to it. Its where all of my races end when I run in Virginia Beach. But I'm usually concerned with not dying so I pay little attention to it. I just HAD to go up to it.

I had no idea it was SO big.

According to about.com:

A prime photo-op spot and must see along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, the King Neptune statue by sculptor Paul DiPasquale stands mightily at Neptune Park near the Hilton Hotel 31st Street. This impressive bronze sculpture is 34-feet tall to the height of the trident, weighs 12.5 tons and, in addition to King Neptune, includes an octopus, two dolphins, a sea turtle, a lobster and twelve fish.
DiPasquale's design was conceived as ...a hands-on experience of reality and fantasy...about the wonders hidden beneath the waves. At the same time, the stern Neptune is not entirely pleased with the ecologically poor use of his seas. And his message, in bronze and stone, will carry on into the future.

The project was initiated by the Neptune Festival and funded by private donations. The sculpture was dedicated to the City of Virginia Beach in September 2005 during the annual Neptune Festival's end of the season signature celebration, Boardwalk Weekend.

Kara and Adam's Wedding

It's the first wedding for me for the 2012 Wedding Season! Kara had me from hello when her save the date said "FREE CAKE!" Um...she knows what's up...everyone goes to a wedding for 2 things: the cake and the open bar. Yep, check mark for both of those! I've been hearing about Kara's wedding for a while now so I couldn't wait to see how it turned out, and it was beautiful! Just look at the pictures below!

Inspirational sayings on the wall in the garage...thank you Norfolk

More inspiration

Such a beautiful church!!

Freemason Abbey across the street

Massive organs

Side view of the church

Adam waiting for his bride

Dad giving away the bride

Unique window

Saying their vows

Kara looks so serious

Fun!!! This was projected onto the dance floor

AHHHH fun photo booths!!!!!!

More fun!!!

Hannah's new rock!

UM BEAUTIFUL bouquet....I wish it wasn't so blurry, I guess I tried to take the picture too fast

My wonderful dates

FABULOUS centerpieces!!!