Atlanta Trip

On Thursday, we headed down to Atlanta to see Radiohead in concert. The concert was absolutely amazing, but I have one gripe. One gripe about concerts in general really. They never play the ONE song I want to hear. I always pick some smushy, lovey-dovey song and the band never plays it. With Radiohead, I gave them options. They could play No Surprises, High and Dry or Let Down. Alas, they played none. Sorry for the sidenote there. The concert was amazing nonetheless.

We got to the airport way early (I always do!), so this began our trip to Atlanta:

Oh hey, rum and dc at AJ's tavern.

We got to Atlanta, got unpacked and had a cocktail at the bar before heading to the concert. Forgive the pictures. Pictures from an iPhone in the 3rd tier of an NBA arena aren't the best, but just use your imaginations.

We went home that night and ordered takeout from a pizzeria down the street. I had a calzone the size of half my body. It was perfect.

The next morning we navigated our way to the High Museum of Art. 

It was a great museum, but was PACKED with little kids on field trips. I have nothing against little kids, but it was hard to really get a close look at some things, especially the featured exhibit on Modernists.

We then made our way to North Avenue for a lunchtime stop at the Varsity. Marcus had never been to the Varsity so I was excited to show him, especially considering his affinity for fast food. We got there rather quickly and weren't hungry yet, so we stopped at a restaurant that was a converted fire station for a drink.

Enjoying my *shocker* rum and dc in the old firestation.

Then it was Varsity time. YUM. The food isn't anything exceptional (though it really is the perfect greasy diner /fast food food), but it's something you must do in Atlanta.

Here was my meal:

And Marcus enjoying his first Varsity meal. He enjoyed it, despite this face. I wish he would be more agreeable about pictures!!

Next it was off to the aquarium! The Georgia Aquarium has a lot of really cool exhibits including dolphins, beluga whales and otters.

After the aquarium, we rested at the hotel before our dear friend Liz picked us up for a drink before dinner. It was so great to catch up with Liz and get a "local's feel" for Atlanta. I enjoyed chatting with Liz so much that I forgot to take a picture of her pretty face. Hate myself for that!

Dinner was down the street at Ecco. We started with a glass of prosecco and toasted the trip. Next we split a meat and cheese tray and some red wine! I love restaurants that are upscale, but don't have a quiet atmosphere and this one definitely fit the bill.

Saturday we slept in and headed back to Raleigh. I had forgotten how much I love long weekend getaways.

P.S. I never saw T.I. A guy did yell out of his car window at me that T.I. had signed him and asked me if I wanted to hang out. That didn't seem like the safest decision, so I politely declined.

Bad blogger!

Like most of you, the holidays kind of took over my life - in mostly amazing ways and in one incredibly sad way.

The bad is going to get it's own post, so for now here are the good ways!

Christmas vacation started off with eggnogpalooza, an event invited by my dear friend Ronnie, better known as Baby B. In this event, you pour different kinds of adult beverages in eggnog, mark the bottom of the cups with the type of alcohol and then mix up the glasses and see which ones you like best.

Next, it was time to build a gingerbread house with one of my best friends, Chris, and his sweet cousin, Ellie. Chris is in the coast guard so I don't get to see him nearly enough. It's always incredibly special when I do! 

After Gingerbread house making (harder than you think, y'all!), it was time to go to a Christmas party hosted by my sweet friends Ryan and Micaela. Here is a picture of Ryan, Matt, Joe and I. Aren't I the lucky girl?

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is Christmas Eve when my mom and I celebrate together. We cook only our favorite parts of the traditional meal (basically everything bad for you), drink wine and dance around the kitchen.

As quickly as Christmas came, it left, and New Years was right around the corner. This year I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in my cousin Nikki's New Year's Eve Wedding. It was a blast!

Here is my cousin Tom and I at the Rehearsal Dinner.

On Saturday we had a Bridesmaid Brunch. My awesome grandmother Po was there and she was loving her Bloody Mary!

I, on the other hand, can't quite get the hang of Bloody Mary's and stuck to a Mimosa. Great decision as the champagne came in this little sippy cup - obsessed.

Here is the beautiful bride getting ready. She was absolutely stunning.

And then we partied the night away at by far the best wedding I've ever attended. There were feathers, hot pink, cupcakes and a mashed potato bar!

I really loved the mashed potato bar. Nikki Jo and I are definitely related.

With Mom:

With Dad:

With Nicholas: 

Happy New Year, y'all!

California Loveee

Warning: This might be the most picture-filled post to date.

Sorry it's been a few days - I was off drinking wine in Napa, shopping in San Fran and turning 25 in the airport. No big deal!

Kidddddddding! It was the most amazing trip ever! Lauren and I got up bright and early for our 8 a.m. flight. We may or may not have started out our trip like this.

Airport Mimosas

A few hours, and two crazy plane rides full of characters later, we arrived in San Francisco. Our friend Justin picked us up and we immediately headed to Napa Valley to start sipping! We spent Friday afternoon, all day Saturday and most of the day Sunday indulging in wine tastings, buying bottles and wine and cheese for lunch and contemplating our move from Raleigh to Northern California. Some of my absolute favorite wineries included Franciscan, Sterling (complete with gondola ride), Castello di Amoroso, Chateau St. Jean, Mondavi, Sequoia Grove and Kenwood (champy!), but it's hard to narrow it down. They were all insanely beautiful with delicious wines. I learned so much and am looking forward to utilizing my knowledge at wine stores here! Here are a few of the sites from wine country (excuse the poor quality, these are phone pictures! I'll add more once I upload them from my camera)

Oak barrels used to store and age the wine.

Beautiful wine country.

Church in Castello di Amoroso

After several days of 100+ heat at home, this looks pretty nice!

Enjoying a bottle and snacks in gorgeous Sonoma

Castello di Amoroso

Sunday afternoon we headed to San Francisco. We spent most of our time there walking around and being huge tourists. I had to wear a sweater the whole time - it was in the 50s! We only had about a little over a day to enjoy San Francisco, so we took advantage of Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square near our hotel. Here are a few pictures from our time in San Francisco.

Sea lions at Pier 39. I wanted to bring one home!

One of the weirdest/coolest/proudest moments of the trip. We stopped in this random bar during Happy Hour and I immediately saw a He's Not bumper sticker. It turned out to be the official Alumni bar in San Fran. I proceeded to get really emotional and tell the Irish bartender (who'd never been to NC) all about beautiful Chapel Hill and the greatest school in the universe. (And of course, slipped in a Shammond and TJ reference!)

San Fran is a little different. We're friendly here in the South, but apparently in San Fran people think  you are automatic best friends. Later, this lovely fellow got kicked out of the restaurant and taunted everyone from the street window.

We had so much fun walking around Pier 39!

We left bright and early Tuesday morning (my birthday!) for the return trip. It was bittersweet - I absolutely adored California (especially wine country), but did miss the comforts and people of home. Most of my wonderful friends and family gave me money for my birthday to help fund the West Coast vacay (goodness gracious, California, you make Raleigh look like the dollar store), but there were a few surprises when I got home!

A Bailey Box from my too generous and amazing friends at Bailey's

The biggest surprise of them all: an Ippolita ring (now dubbed my official football ring) that I've been wanting since early in the year. Thanks Mom. :) Isn't it gorgeous?

Beach Bound Tomorrow :)

I'm More of A Sunshine and Solid Ground Kinda Girl

This past weekend I went to the mountains for a long weekend with some of my best friends. I'm not really a mountain girl, I've never skied in my life (save one traumatic incident when my dad took out all the kids in my lesson when I was six because he couldn't stop) and I'm not a big fan of snow (unless I'm wrapped in cashmere and sipping a hot toddy on a snow day). That being said, the idea of a long weekend with some great people sounded fabulous. So I packed up sweet Baby Civi and head to the mountains after work on Thursday.

Friday morning we hit the slopes (don't I sound like a pro now?). There were three of us who didn't have much experience, so we decided to stick together and snowboard (I've since learned snowboarding is thought of as way harder than skiing). Let me tell you, it was the hardest thing ever. First of all, the board is really heavy. For those who haven't met me, I have abnormally thin arms and legs. That snowboard weighed my legs down like crazy. To start things off you get on the ski lift. Which is terrifying. You have to jump off at exactly the right moment. The first time I went, I barely got off and the chair pushed me about five feet. After you get off the lift, you strap in and head down the mountain.

My group apparently isn't the brightest because we tried an easy level slope BEFORE we tried the bunny level. Needless to say I spent most of the time on my rear end. The times I did get going, I was so petrified that I made myself fall. I went down the slopes two times and then made myself at home at the ski lodge bar. It was so much fun, but I would definitely take a lesson next time.

Complaining about snowboarding aside, it was an amazing weekend. It reminded me how blessed I am to have this group of friends. Most of us have been close since we were in high school and I consider them all my brothers and would do anything for any one of them. This trip reminded me that no matter what happens, our group has a bond that is unbreakable. And for that I am so incredibly grateful.

It's supposed to be 78 here tomorrow! Maybe I'll head to the beach... :)

Some good news and vacay recap...

I got a new job. :) Junior Account Executive for a PR Firm in Raleigh. It's sort of my dream job. I start next Monday. I'm so nervous, but so excited to be starting on a career path. And to all you people still searching for jobs, don't lose hope! It's all about timing and not getting one now just means there is a better one waiting in the future. I'm proof of that. :)

Vacay was amazing. Lots of sun, food, and drinks. The Ritz was gorgeous as usual. I think I've forgotten how to open a door for myself. I've come back deciding I want to take singing lessons and surfing lessons. I know -- I've got lots of plans. <3 Lovelovelove.

Vacay I Can Almost Taste You...

I'M SO EXCITED. I'm officially four days away from spending a week at the Ritz in Amelia Island, Florida. This is my first week long vacay since I've had a big girl job and I plan on taking full advantage of it. Tanning, cocktails, dancing, shopping, food... all on Daddy's dime :) Thanks Daddy!

I'm trying to put together a few playlists for the drive down there (le sigh, I know, but we are stopping in Savannah to break up the trip)... Any suggestions from creative music people out there? (I really long to be a creative music person, but don't think I'm really cool enough to be...)

Happy Tuesday y'all! Lovelovelove.