DROWN

Well Hello everybody! I'm in the highest of spirits today because it's been a -

 VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I'm the proud new owner of a crock pot, record player, and many other small morsels of goodness. It's been a good year. I also have a third date on Friday with a rather nice guy (details to come later) and I'm going home to Chucktown tomorrow, which means I can cook up some lasagna in my fancy new crock pot.

This past weekend my darling friend Josh came into town for the night. He has been wanting to go skydiving in a city an hour away and he thought it would be the perfect time to come visit me as well! He blew into town and blew right back out - but not before we had an awesome time. He came and met me at W.W. and of course all the ladies just HAD to know who he was - and since I get embarrassed so quickly when guys are involved, I blushed and said we were just friends with a big grin on my face (because let's be serious here for a second - Josh is gorgeous and is one of the nicest guys I've ever had the privilege of knowing so in my mind he's an absolute catch for any girl.) We went to my apartment to get ready, did a bit of pre-gaming, caught a cab, and were off for a fun night. Long story short we went to all our favorite places, including back to Midtown for another great cover band that played tons of Blink 182 and The Killers. Josh and I danced the whole time and I laughed like I haven't in ages.

 {Kayla and I laughing like little school girls}

 {The always lovely Josh and I at Midtown}

I woke up Sunday morning to start doing laundry and packing for my trip back home to Augusta and let everyone sleep in until eleven. Josh woke up and get dressed and I drove us over to Sweetwater Cafe for some brunch. We had the greatest time with our waitress and I couldn't help but smile when he bought my meal AND gave her a big tip. We walked through the market on the way there and walked through the surrounding shops on the way back, including the Black Mineral Market (an all-time fave) and got some fudge. Sadly he had to go home soon after, and so we said our goodbyes and I ran back inside to finish packing.
To say I ran out of town is an understatement. I all but galloped. I took the back way home and drove through country and small towns that I'd never heard of before. Just me, the radio, and the wind in my hair. I made it home just before my parents got home from Atlanta and it was a nice surprise for them to see me earlier than planned. I spent the past few days recuperating from my crazy retail filled month and a half by reading, watching movies, and playing video games with my brother.

{Family Photo in front of the tree}

 {After seeing the movie I HAD to reread the first and then read the second - TEAM PEETA!}

But as with all good things, it must come to an end tomorrow. Now if only I could have a vacation after my vacation to recover.
I hope you all had an amazing Christmas!

WE MIGHT BE CRAZY

{Perfect Saturday Night outfit - Boots, thrifted. Dress, Target. Tights, Forever 21. Men's Button Up, thrifted.}

This weekend was absolutely wonderful! It's been a long long time since I've let Kayla convince me to go out and run the town until 2 A.M. but I caved and let it happen.

It all started on Saturday when Kayla's ex-boyfriend Matt came into town. We decided to take him out and show him all our favorite places to hang on crazy downtown nights. Naturally we started at Closed For Business - it's our current favorite place to go and it's SUCH a chill place with an always changing menu, which encourages me to continue my mission to find a beer that agrees with me. For now I'm settling with pear and apple ales by Doc's Draft.

{C.F.B. on a random October night}  

Next we tried to go to a really great spot called Prohibition that has a bar at the front, a dance floor in the middle, and a outdoor patio bar and tables out back, but they're suddenly all about charging covers and I'm definitely not all about that so we kept walking down King. Kayla mentioned this place called Midtown that was pretty nice so we ducked in there only to be greeted with a live band and phenomenal 90's music screaming out of the amps. We jammed, we drank, we danced, we sang until we were hoarse... it was epic.

{The Swift Robinson's - reuniting since their high school glory days}

{Pre jam-session at Midtown with Kayla}

Getting tired and thirsty I suggested we head over to A.C.'s - our original Chucktown stomping grounds. This is the bar that I have curated so many amazing friends and fond memories, including the New Zealanders (Whom of which have sailed back to the Bahamas until January and I miss them so very dearly.) This is also the bar where I saw Cam Gigandet so many times the fact that he was famous was more annoying than exciting, but he was also a total jerk so it didn't really make me weak in the knees to see him. After one final drink we headed home. While Kayla and Matt went upstairs I hung out with Neighbor Nick and played with his sweet hood-cat JoJo.

{she is literally the tiniest and sweetest thing on this block}

Then Sunday night came! It was my day job's, we will call it W.W., annual Christmas party and it was a hoot. Long story short, Liam Hemsworth posters were cuddled, Where's Waldo hats were searched, phone numbers were given to bartenders, vows were made, book clubs were started, and lots and lots of chicken wings were consumed. I'm so blessed by my little family of co-workers I have here. They're more my family than anything, especially since I spend forty hours with them a week and see them more than my own roommate.

{from L to R: Stephanie, Me, Courtney, Sarah Jean, Hillary, and Ashley in front}

{I love these girls - they're the absolute best}

After a long long long day I'm finally at my three-days off break before I head back for three more days of working and then I'll be done for the Christmas season. It'll be back home to sweet ol' Augusta, Georgia and I can't wait!