Weekend Recap {Valentine's Day Edition}

Friday was our sixth Valentine's Day together. I can't believe how the time flies. This will be our only Vday as an engaged couple. I can't believe that when we celebrate the holiday next year, it'll be with my HUSBAND!

Showing off the red dress I borrowed from a coworker! Stylish AND thrifty ;) 

To celebrate, the hubby-to-be and I made a reservation at Hueston Woods Lodge. They were offering a Valentine's Day special that included a three course meal and bottle of champagne, for two. The Lodge is special to us because, in about 3 months, it's where our wedding reception will take place!

Despite the ~2-4 inches of snow on the roads, we braved the cold weather and slick roads... and it was so worth it! The roaring fireplace (and many glasses of champagne) kept me warm, and both of us agreed it was our best Feb. 14 to date.

Note the GIANT bottle of champagne that we'd only made a dent in at that point.

Pork chops with apple chutney... and the most delicious mashed potatoes I've ever tasted!

Milk chocolate cheesecake, topped with fresh fruit and crème

Today I'm linking up with the blogs below. Check 'em out!

Sunday Social

1. What are your favorite things to do on a lazy day? 

If it's a really lazy day, I'll sleep in... and then take at least two naps. Paint my nails, catch up on TV shows on Netflix/Hulu, wander TJ Maxx or Target.

2. What is your TV guilty pleasure? 

KUWTK & The Bachelor/ette!

3. What is your favorite road trip music? 

I like to either radio surf or listen to a good book on CD. The Harry Potter series is my #1 book-on-CD choice for a road trip.

4. What are your favorite magazines or books to read by the pool or laying around? 

Whatever book-to-movie or Nicolas Sparks novel is currently popular. 

5. What is your favorite snack? 

Popcorn, Larabars, Mini Babybel cheese.

Bachelor Pick of the Week

"Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do?" 

I couldn't help but think that this line from last night's The Men Tell All pretty much describes this entire season of the Bachelorette. The majority of the men this season were either bad, as in creepy (fantasy suite guy), weird (STOP with the poetry and singing), or just not quite right for Des. Or they were BAD bad, as in Ben, James, and guy with the girlfriend (?).

Poor Des.

My exception to this, of course, is also my Bachelor Pick of the Week:

Juan Pablo

Oh wait. Oops. I guess I can't pick Juan Pablo anymore...

Ok. Ok. Enough of that. (Please, please, please can he be the next Bachelor?). My REAL pick of the week is obviously and predictably:

Brooks

Though I'm pretty nervous about picking Brooks this week. This whole season I've thought it was a sure thing. Until now! What the heck is happening with all the crying in the finale? I know Chris has said a bazillion times that this will be the most dramatic season finale ever, but last night he said he meant it this time! Why is the finale split into two nights? Maybe I'm just being a gullible Bachelorette viewer who believes the hype, but I'm nervous, guys! 

Today I'm linking up with the blogs below. Check 'em out!

Spend or Splurge?

Sorry for the lack of blogging lately. It's been busy lately and I've also been doing some thinking about the direction I want this blog to go.

To tide you over for today, I present... ooh, pretty jewels!

Among these pictures are some of my recent VeryJane purchases. All photos are either of J. Crew inspired, VeryJane jewelry or the actual J. Crew jewel. Let's play a guessing game - can you tell which is which? 

Wedding Wednesday

It's no secret that the vibe the hubby-to-be and I are going for with our wedding is 1920's/Great Gatsby. I've been struggling a lot with the line between drawing inspiration from this theme vs. going over the top, costume-y with it. I don't want to look back at my wedding photos in 2020 and say "What was I thinking!?" 

Right now I'm shopping around for a necklace that fits the bill. We all think long, pearls when it comes to 1920's jewelry - but I don't want them to look I'm going out on Halloween as a flapper. Here are some Pinterest finds that I'm thinking strike the right balance and aren't quite so literal.

My favorite is the first photo. 

Which look do you like?

Bachelor Pick of the Week

I'm linking up really late this week. I missed the Brooks date portion of the show (cause the fiance wanted to run out and get Hothead Burrito, which I was on board with of course - yes, even though The Bachelorette was on) so I HAD to watch it online before I posted anything. But, anyway, I'll just get to the point and pick my man... since it seems like Des already has too!

Brooks

Sunday Social

1. What is the best trip you’ve ever been on?

The trip we got engaged on! We went to the Smoky Mountains and stayed in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area.

2. What is your best idea for a girls weekend trip?

A trip to the beach. Siesta Key sounds amazing right now.

3. What is your best idea for a couples trip?

Well, considering we're planning on a honeymoon in Europe with lots of country-hopping and sightseeing, I'm sure that gives you an idea of the type of trip we're into. Lots of history, culture, adventures... not a lot of downtime.

4. What is the best vacation on the cheap?

A stay-cation. For us it would be a "trip" to stay at Hueston Woods State Park or somewhere in Cincinnati. 

5. What is the place you most want to visit?

Switzerland! I've already been, when I was in high school, but I am dying to go back. It was heaven!