Road Trip Weekend

This weekend was, to me, what being young and carefree is all about. Random, unexpected opportunity and a whole lot of fun as a result! Friday night I had my date with the admirer and it was the type of date to call your mom about. Great guy, manners, conversation that makes you forget what time it is (1am leaving the restaurant...oops!). All in all, a good time. 

Saturday I took a little roadtrip to Frederick, MD with a couple of girlfriends. A big barn full of fun, antique furniture & gifts, great vintage clothing shops, colonial architecture, and cute hipster cafes. 

welcome to Frederick, MD

at the barn (Chartreuse & Co, if any DC locals are interested)

tempted to get this for my boss...he's British and has a flair for the dramatic at times. 

Valentine's Day was a theme at the barn. Too cute, right?

Cafe Nola on Patrick St.

Then, Saturday night, at a friend's house for game night, met a couple of people who invited me to go skiing with them the next day, and spent all of Sunday hitting the slopes at Whitetail, in Southern Pennsylvania. It was great! Today I may be feeling the effects of the cold, but spur of the moment roadtrips are not to be passed up - it falls into my motto of 'just say yes'!

 Sorry no pictures of the mountain, I was too busy dodging 6 yr old kamikaze snowboarders.

and now downing this today like it's my job...

Pretty flowers

I don't know how else to put this, but I have an admirer...and he sends flowers. I was starting to seriously worry about the state of manners in men of our generation after a slew of not-so-polite match.com dates, but this guy proves that there are still a few in existence that at least try to make things right.

our first date is Friday night, wish me luck!

The wedding that was a long-time coming...

My good friend from college, Erin, got married this past weekend in Boca Raton, FL. She and her new hubby Adam have been together for 6 years...and have known each other for 16! One of those sweet stories where each had a crush on the other for years and it took one night home from college (and maybe a little alcohol-induced honesty) to bring them finally together. This is one of the sweetest, warm-hearted couples you will ever meet, so naturally we're all just thrilled that they've finally tied the knot.

In proper Southern style, I was one of 8 bridesmaids; and with the champagne flowing and the most rockin' itunes playlists you can imagine (Adam is a musician on the side), there was some major dance floor action happening. Below are a few of my favorites from the big day.

the happy couple

the day of the wedding - could it get any better?

the gorgeous bride

bouquets

lovely

you better believe there was some dancing!

Mr. and Mrs. Walters

there may have been an impromptu gator chomp involved...

the morning after

Florida, I still love you.

Oh, there's the snow!

Woke up this morning to a nice little blanket of snow on the ground. We didn't get slammed like the rest of the East coast, thank goodness, as I fly out in the a.m. to Florida for a wedding! 

Below is a little taste of my walk to work this morning...

Lincoln

bet those little birdies are cold

special delivery

Now, West Palm Beach and your 70 degree weather, here I come!

Snow let down and missing London

It was supposed to snow today, but ended up just being a weird, cold rain. Bummer. I like the cold so much better if there's a nice blanket of snow on the ground. That crunch beneath your feet as you walk...ahhh, it's so nice. 

Also, on a completely unrelated note, 5 years ago today I arrived in London for a study abroad, in which I met some of the greatest people that have ever existed. These lovely ladies (and some not-pictured men) remain and will always remain some of my best friends. I won't go into a major nostalgic episode here, but let's just say, it was magical. 

Cheers!

Last bit of the holiday season

The Smithsonian still has a few holiday decorations up, though they're coming down daily. This is the remainder of the festive entrance to the Haupt Garden, which is surrounded by the Smithsonian Castle, Freer|Sackler, and the National Museum of African Art. 

Though to be quite honest, though I love Winter, I'm already jonesin' for Spring!

Roarin'

For pure ambiance, and because it just puts a smile on my face, I decided to have a fire tonight. I feel very lucky that in two weeks' time, back in August, I managed to find a sunny one-bedroom apartment with 5 closets and a working fireplace...it really doesn't get much better than this. Care to come over?