Life In An Apartment Near Chinatown

For the month of February, my mom and did the Advocare 24-day Challenge.

There were supplements and shakes and energy drinks and specific guidelines.

I didn’t starve and I was able to eat very similarly to how I normally eat!

Instead of dessert at night, I replaced it with fresh berries!

I felt really good for the first 10 days. I really, really liked the first 10 days! During the next phase, I got really sick (bronchitis again) and stopped a few days short of the 24 days. I ended losing 5 pounds and really enjoyed the regimen. My mom has been doing AMAZING on the plan. She lost 5 pounds during the challenge and has not lost another 5 pounds! She also got her hip replaced 3 weeks ago and is recovering like a champ! So proud!

For St. Patty’s Day, we decided to celebrate our Irish with a very Ireland-inspired meal!

z made Martha’s Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage:

I made Whole Foods’ Harvest Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie with Mashed Yams:

We even listened to U2 during dinner to make it even more Irish!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! With all these leftovers, we’ll be celebrating all week…

I still cook, I promise. See – here’s proof:

I made a vegetarian pot pie with a GF Bisquick biscuit topping! It was tasty and I got to use my awesome Le Creuset pot!

On February 23rd, I went shopping for a wedding dress in Old Town, Alexandria with my mom, Sarah, Heidi, and Amanda! It was cold and rainy but that didn’t stop us from having fun!

I’m a drama queen and no this is not my dress.

After trying on what felt like a million dresses, we stopped for brunch at 219 Restaurant.

Crawfish omelet! Yum!

After brunch we stopped at Candi’s Candies which is a super cute candy store in Old Town.

She loves malted milk balls!

So, I tried on a lot of dresses but didn’t leave with one…

…truth is – I already bought a dress ;) My mom and I attended a Brides Against Breast Cancer even in the beginning of February! I loved the dress and loved the cause :)

203 days until the WEDDING!

A couple Saturdays ago z and I got up, dropped the pup off at the kennel and drove to New York. He had some work and family things to do and I was getting together with some girlfriends to welcome Jamie home from Afghanistan!

Lunch on the road:

Work pit stop for z:

After getting into Manhattan, we checked in to our hotel, took a nap, and then got a little bite to eat before I headed to the Village for some drinks!

$4 Lychee Martinis are dangerous…

Katy and Mo.

Jamie, Kevin, and Katy – Take One

Take Two.

Me and Mo.

Necessary pizza.

Unnecessary champagne.

There was lots of karaoke. Lots.

A fun, quick trip to NY. I was in pain most of the next day…next time maybe we can just sit and drink coffee. Please? Ouch.

We got a really generous gift for Christmas that allowed us to celebrate z’s arrival quite decadently…

Hello oysters!

Hello Cioppino!

Hello Mixed Grill!

After a great seafood dinner we saw Silver Linings Playbook! LOVED IT! So glad so many people recommended it. It was everything I could have hoped for!

Then I took down the class of the night and recommended the photo booth…hehe :)

Is someone excited to have her guy home or what??

z got home from his long work trip the day after Valentine’s Day so we celebrated with dinner, flowers, and…

…the puppy’s card from grandpa!

Happy Valentine’s Day <3