March 6th!

This is Allie and she is amazing. It is also her birthday.

(its actually Allie on her wedding day - 2/16/2008 - and yes, she's still this gorgeous)

Allie is my oldest friend. Our parents met in lamaze class when we were just wee babies in our momma's bellies. We've technically known each other for 28 years + a few months. That is pretty neat.

(us as toddlers! '86/'87?)

I don't have a sister, so I made Allie my unofficial sister and have always asked her for advice (even though she is only 8 days older than me). She has taught me all the important things everyone needs a sister to teach them...like how to apply nail polish and make up, etc.

the one picture of Italian travels '04

A's engagement '07

But lets get back to how Allie is amazing. Not only is Allie is editor extraordinaire of the Crozet Gazette, but she runs her own design company, AMP Designs. As you may have guessed from the picture above, she's married a totally awesome man who is in Med School and has made an appearance in the Parking Lot Movie (haven't seen it yet? For shame. Go rent it now).

This marriage has resulted in the two most beautiful and adorably sweet kiddos I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Allie also puts crafters to shame---hello Weekend Away Bags,Sleeping sack-- !!! And did I mention she has an MA from NYU, has studied in Greece and Italy and can speak/read/translate in Latin, Italian, French and German? (--she is pretty much the smartest girl I know).

(MOH duty at our wedding)

Allie! Happiest of birthdays. You are the best. The best mom, the best wife, the best artist and the best friend. I am so grateful to have you in my life! To a lifetime of friendship!

M&J's wedding '09

A & A's wedding '08

love,

M

March 1

Hello loves! March is here! Two weeks till I officially leave my mid twenties and head into my late twenties. As this birthday approaches, I'm just not as enthused about celebrating. It might be the large number of impending deadlines, but also 27 was full of challenges...so while I'm relieved to enter 28, I'm also a little hesitant. I feel like big things are coming, but I'm not sure what they are or if they will transpire- so that makes me a little nervous..ya know?

In the past I loved celebrating with friends, but this year I'm not feeling it. I think I'd rather just enter 28 quietly and treat myself to something nice, especially since minus a trip to target, I haven't shopped for clothes or accessories since fall 2010. This is a big deal for me. For serious.

I've had a few things on my wishlist for a while, so I'm choosing one to give myself for my 28th year...

1. Should I go to Anthro?- Be still my heart. Anthro's spring dress collection is blowing my mind. With warmer seasons fast approaching I'm thinking one of the following might be perfect for a happy birthday to me present!

one

two

three

all three might go nicely with a pair of these

2. Should I save a little more and purchase this Nikon? I have wanted a new camera forEVER. Its a little pricey...but it will be worth it in the end, right? Have you purchased this camera or one like it? Do you have any suggestions about purchasing fancy cameras?

3. This might be a nice purchase to help motivate me to get through those pesky deadlines these coming months!

4. Eliza B. Askin makes super adorable sketches of Richmond. With so many I'd have a hard time choosing one print, though the sketch Hill Cafe tugs at my heart strings(one of our favorite restaurants in the city).

5. Emerson Made. I've been eying these clutches for months. Now that you have seen them, you will probably start eying them too :).

What do you think? How do you celebrate your birthday?

some things

1. Spring break has been lovely and fun. I've actually had two weekend breaks- a trip to West VA for some skiing and a trip to Ocracoke Island, NC with family.

2. The sunshine in Virginia is lovely this weekend and perfect for long patio lunches, picnics in the park, balcony dinners and six mile training runs (eep!)

3. I turned 27! A perfect square! Huzzah I'm old!

4. You should all maybe check out this movie if you can. I used to hang out here with my bestie who was in love with (and later married and had babies!) with a boy who worked here for a number of years. It reminds me of summers in college.

Happiest of Fridays!

you are all so lovely!

Thank you! Thank you my sweet interweb and interperson friends for your kind words about my February blues! Each comment makes me so happy and brightens my day! I love you all!

March has begun, but I don't think I can start hoping for spring until after this weekend for three reasons

1) Ginormous test on Friday
2) Draft of proposal for thesis due Friday
3) Skiing weekend in West Virginia on Friday, and I feel like it is rather unfair to wish for daffodils, april showers, and green grass when snow is required to enjoy skiing.

But March is exciting because not only will the weather warm up, our little richmond book club starts up again AND it is my birthday month! Yikes! I am turning the ripe old age of twenty-seven and I feel rather neutral about it. I once read in a horoscope of personalities book that twenty-eight would be my big year, so I guess i've always looked forward to that age. I am happy to be leaving twenty-six behind. It was the year of highest highs (marriage/all things associated with weddings) and lowest lows (grad school/all things associated with weddings)!

I hope everyone had a beautiful March 1st!