adventures in weekending: the unofficial start to summer

I welcomed summer last weekend with cheeseburgers, wine coolers, curly-topped cuties and sunshine. It's only the end of May, but it's shaping up to be a good season already.

These three-day weekends are joyous. I breathe a little easier, my outlook's a bit brighter and everything comes up roses. And that extra day to just sit home and do nothing is such a luxury. It should be like this all the time.

adventures in weekending: 2 birthdays for the price of 1

Bob and I decided to combine our birthday celebrations (we were born only one day apart!) and have a small get-together at The Smith with just a few close friends.

We had such a great time! I always feel a little apprehensive about mixing friends, but it always turns out well.  Through the cocktails, shared chicken potpies, bacon-wrapped apricots and cheesy gnocchi, we were chatting it up like crazy. I was thankful that the restaurant was busy and bustling, otherwise, we would have been the most obnoxiously loud table there.  A sign of a good time, that's for sure!

adventures in weekending: jen's birthday

A homemade Hunger Games-inspired cake.

A little Dance Central (probably one of the most fun video games ever)

And a slightly off-key, head bangin' rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody. 

Jen and I used to sing this song all the time at our lunch table in junior high. We're positive this was the reason why no one bothered to sit next to us. But we console ourselves by saying we had the most character out of everyone. People just couldn't handle our kind of "interesting".

adventures in weekending: janey's birthday party (and a little good news)

We helped celebrate my sister's birthday this weekend with not one, but two birthday cakes, close family and friends, a huge tub of Magnolia's famous banana pudding, a special gift from Jimmy Choo, some silliness here and there and excited talk about The Hunger Games (eeeeek!). Party animals were certainly in attendance, but one of them knocked out before the first guest left (while his little brother mischievously jumped on the bed right next to him).

And although many people didn't know it, the boyfriend and I were also celebrating his acceptance into the NYU grad program with a few toasts of our own. Yeah Bob!

adventures in weekending: busy days, lazy days

I can honestly say that not one minute of this weekend was wasted.  Whether I was at my sister's annual After Christmas party drinking mimosas, feasting on Mexican food, going on a bit of a home-shopping spree or watching a marathon of 24, it was well spent. I could definitely get used to these rare three-day weekends.

There were times when my feet were going to fall off from walking so much (and with heavy bags in tote).
There were times when I felt like me and the couch were one from sitting on it for so many hours.
There were times when I wanted to explode from from eating too much steak, cheesy potatoes and creme brulee.
And it was all so so good.

adventures in weekending: housewarming party, part trois

Yes, you saw that right.

We had a third housewarming party.  Since our apartment is about the size of a shoebox, we had to divide our families and friends into separate parties. Part three aka the last of our housewarmings (thank goodness) included a mix of mine and Bob's close friends. I must say, this was definitely the most boisterous party of the three and it seemed appropriate since we wanted to "go out with a bang". Go out with a bang indeed.

Disclaimer: Pardon the crooked/cropped/out-of-focus photos. Some of us behind the lens may or may not have had a few drinks.

My friend Tanya and I have very passionate discussions that look like we're mad at each other...

but we're not...

And then we dance (obviously).

Bob and his friends having a bro moment at the end of the night.

I love this sweet message from some of our guests.

And after that night, I no longer have the right to complain about my neighbors being too loud.