'Kenzie - In Vogue

I bought Makenzie this dress in February because it was too damn cute and I think it is my duty as her Auntie living in NYC to keep her in fashion forward attire even at a young age. 

I love the fact that my sister-in-law Teresa saved the dress for 'Kenzie's 18-month pictures so it could be memorialized forever and even though she's not looking into the camera in this picture, its still my favorite.

Becky got Married!

Becky & Max got married in Savannah and it was an amazing weekend of love, fun and my favorite Southern family!

I flew down Thursday so I could stay at the Creek House with Becky before heading to Savannah and I knew I would be put to work. First by Jon Stier to help him put up the new cover for his boat (but that was a disaster since we didn't have all the right parts and the directions were not clear).  I was also attacked by bugs while helping him put everything together in the grass, I should have covered myself in DEET before we started vs after the first couple bites but it was a lost cause. It looked like I was attacked by paint balls all over the back of my legs, the welts were so big.  Thank God my dresses would cover a majority of the bites/welts).  My second job was helping Becky put together the guests bags for the hotel, it turned into a little assembly line of goodies.

Friday we headed into Savannah and enjoyed the day at the pool.  Becky and I had Noah (her 11 yr-old nephew) with us, so as Becky ran around the hotel doing a few things Noah and I had swim races in the pool.  We raced the breast stroke, side stroke, butterfly & freestyle.  I haven't swam that much since I don't know when.  My arms were exhausted and my breathing was a little labored after all the laps.  I might be ready for the Olympic trials, watch out Michal Phelps.  After swimming it was time for rehearsal dinner on the River Boat.

The Rehearsal Dinner was so much fun, the cruise down the river was beautiful and the dance party was out of control.  And we had a visitor Jeremiah who joined us from the party on the 1st deck and he liked to bust a move in the circle more than any of us.

Shannon getting DOWN with Jeremiah

Saturday morning I toured the town with Pat, Melissa, Shelly & Rob.  I must come back to Savannah, Its GORGEOUS!!  After our walk about town it was pool time, we joined a majority of the wedding guests at the pool for an awesome pool party till it was time to get ready for the reason we were all there....

The nuptials itself took place in the courtyard of The Mulberry Inn and it was just perfect.

First Dance

Noah was an animal on the dance floor

I feel so lucky that I got to be a part of Becky's special day and be an honorary member of the Stier clan.

The worst part of the whole weekend was waking up at 4:30 on Sunday morning for a 6am flight home back to NYC. But Shelly made me feel better texting me that as I landed (12pm) everyone was packing up and going home and I wasn't missing much anyway, just a few hours of sleep.

Jon Stier told me that just because I moved in with the Girls (Becky & Shelly) six years ago in New York didn't mean that I got to continually show up at every party and family function he hosts.  Well, his weddings are now over, so now Jon's has to find new reasons to throw parties and I have to find more reasons to head South (baby Kenney,  vaca weekends with my favorite Southerners, etc)

More photos are on facebook

A Not So Pale Ginger Rant

This is my rant about people referring to me as "the palest person I know".

Yes, during the Fall/Winter months I can be classified as "pale" because I was cursed (depending on who you ask) with my Father's skin.  But in the Spring/Summer month's I can tan (thanks to some inheritance of my Mother's skin).  My tan might not be as dark as Snookie (gross) or my Dimon cousins (slightly envious), but for a Ginger, dammit I'm tan! And everyone better recognize'.  I am one of the tannest (natural) redheads that I know of.  I'm even tanner than some blonde's or brunette's out there.  Now those blonde's and brunettes that I see who are pasty white might not enjoy the Sun like I do, but regardless I'm tanner than they are.  And I would even go as far to say that maybe even in the winter months I could be less pale/white.  It's taken years to slowly build up the melatonin in my skin to allow me to bake in the beautiful Sun with spf 30 for hours at a time.  And yes, I know how to handle a sunburn unlike some of you pansies but that's just a benefit of years of hard work.

So please, think about it long and hard before the word 'pale' comes out of your mouth when referring to me in the Summer months.

And a special thanks to Becky for recognizing my tan this Summer.  She said I was the tannest she's ever seen me and I look like I have my Mother's skin from my stomach down (tears in my eyes) and my Dad's skin from my chest up (a girl can't have it all).  It was one of the best compliments I've ever heard.  I've worked so hard this Spring and Summer on my tan and it really made those hot days in the Sun worth it.  Thanks Bex!

Now everyone else better recognize this tan ginger!!

Low Country Bachlorette Party

We all know that I did something in a previous life to seriously piss off the travel Gods when I'm trying to go somewhere for pleasure, this time was no different. 

I was on my way to Becky's Low Country Bachlorette Party in Beaufort, SC for Memorial Day weekend and this is how it all started.
From my facebook post on Thursday night at 10pm "Oh the places I won't be going tonight... Missed NJ Transit train by 1 min, waited 20 for the next. Still got to airport hour before scheduled boarding time (Holiday weekend nonsense). Flight delayed 1, 2, 3rd times the charm that I'll officially miss my connection. Wait an hour in customer service to now leave tomorrow morning & arrive at a different destination. So, after spending my evening at EWR I'm heading home to try it all again in the am. Praying the weather & travel Gods will be on my side tomorrow."

Friday I get to the airport early because I'm so anxious to finally get to South Carolina to start the celebrations.  Shelly was amazing enough to drive all the way to Charlotte, NC to pick me up from the airport. Even though she drove 2 hours out of her way to come get me, it was really nice to spend some quality time catching up with her on our drive back to Columbia to meet up with the rest of the ladies before we head down to the Creek.

Before

The ever amazing pregnant Shelly drove the Stier van 2 hours to Creek house with a few potty breaks and "light" traffic. 

We finally arrived in Beaufort at sunset, had the kind neighbors make us a fire and enjoyed the 80s mix on my ipod and talked/sang the night away.  I also bathed in Skin So Soft but still got attacked by those pesky mosquitoes.

Her skin was soo soft

We spent Saturday on the Dock then took an adventure on the boat with Jon Stier to his Sister's house. 

After our boat ride and visiting time it was the ever impossible task of 8 girls to shower and get ready for dinner.  Needless to say Shannon changed the reservations 3 times for a restaurant that never really needs reservations.  Once we finally made it to down town Beaufort we learned that there was a festival that we should NOT attend, so we were happy to stay put in our restaurant.  I unfortunately got a migraine and went home with Shelly to sleep it off and the girls partied like it was 1999 with the band at the restaurant/bar.  The stories and pictures on Sunday morning were hilarious.

Dinner Time

Tropical storm Beryl made Sunday an inside day.  We had a few bits of outside sun time, but majority of the time was spent in doors lounging, eating dip after dip after dip.

My mumu was a huge hit, I hope it makes it to the wedding night

 Overall I really enjoyed the Low Country Bachlorette party as I always love spending time with my favorite Southern family and friends.

Official Late 20's

So I've officially entered my late 20's and I'd like to think I did it in the perfect 80's child fashion.

Everyone when preppy while I attempted the 80's rocker look

 At a DEBBIE GIBSON CONCERT AT 80'S DANCE CLUB! (where else?)
It was a blast and some of the best people watching I've had in years.  The music was totally tubular, I danced my socks off and sang off-key to almost every song.  By far one of my favorite birthdays in a long time.  I have to give major props to Michelle and Mike for participating in this crazy adventure, especially since we almost got in line for the all male review at the club next door.

Let's take a minute to just recap Culture Club.  The concert goers ranged from the Dad in American Pie, single ladies and couples in their 40's who are "dressed up" to young gays in bright neon's and tight cut-off jeans.  There was also Mike's new BFF and his entourage of Quiet Riot wannabes.
At the general admission area of the club you have club goers who dressed up in total 80's fashion like Boy George or Madonna from Suddenly Seeking Susan and then the just girls who just dressed like sluts.  It was a smorgasbord of people of all ages dancing all packed into a 2 floor 80's black lit dance club.  It's amazing!
(PS - I really want to go back, all dressed up in 80s gear and dance my ass off again all night long, wearing flats)

Who doesn't love a photobooth?

Mike made a new friend

I also have to give a big thank you to Michelle for giving me a great overall birthday weekend, as she pushed me to have a birthday party in the first place.  We also celebrated on my official birthday on Sunday with a Park day.  Michelle and David brought some summer salads, I brought beer and we watched softball games and gossiped in the Sun.  It was quite a perfect way to usher myself into the 2nd to last year of my 20's.

Slacker

I've been slacking a bit on my blogging, so be prepared for a barrage of posts to come at you all at once...

Official Late 20's
Low Country Bachlorette Party
Not So Pale Ginger Rant

Dirty Mouth Count

"Happy Easter! I dropped the F-bomb only 47 times this Lent, but I just renewed my baptismal promise at Church so I'm good to go for another year. F*#K!" -4/8/12

I made my Lental Promise on 2/22 and here is the recap of my dirty mouth slip ups:

2/22: 2
2/23: 5
2/23: 2
2/26: 3
2/27: 3
2/28: 2
2/29: 3
3/1: 1
3/5: 1
3/8: 1
3/9: 2
3/12: 3
3/17: 1
3/18-3/23: 3
3/24: 2
3/25-3/30: 6
3/31: 1
4/1:1
4/4: 1
4/5: 1
4/6: 1
Total: 47

I went to Church on Easter Sunday, but I didn't bring my check book because I spent Easter in Jersey and I didn't want St. Mary's soliciting me for money all year when I'm only a C&E parishioner.  I'll bring a check of $47 to my Church on Sunday to keep my promise.  But overall I think I did pretty well for someone who gets "props ... for displaying the best comedic timing with foul words. she's pretty much the michael jordan of f-bombs." -Michael Crooks

Spring Break 2012

Maui Wowie

For the first time in 6 years I got to have a Spring Break again and it was ah-mazing.
I got to spend 9 days on Maui with my parents and my best friend, Megan and a few special hours with my brother and his family.

Let's recap

Saturday: Wake up at 3:00am for a 6:30am flight and arrive in Maui at 2pm.  Pool by 2:30pm with the family.  Family Dinner, Jackson finds a girlfriend in Megan and then an adventure to the ice cream shop.

Family Picture

Sunday: Wake up by 7am, kiss the kiddies goodbye and head to the beach.  Lunch at 12pm.  Pool at 2pm. Appetizers/Drinks/Dinner with parents at 6pm.  Bead by 8pm.

First Day at the Beach

Monday: The perfect vacation routine continues.  Beach. Lunch. Pool. Dinner at Sansei with Dad's friends Deek and Maria for sushi.

Tuesday: Whale watching at 8am.  Which was absolutely breath taking, we saw so many whales. Two sets of Mom and Baby whales, a group a males trying to impress a lady & a whale breaching.  Lunch.  Pool.  Then... Taco Tuesday at Fred's.  Bed by 9:30pm.

Beaching Whale

Taco Tuesday!

Wednesday: Day Trip to Haleakala National Park.  My Mom really wanted to go to the top of the volcano.  So we drove the windy roads for an hour and half to the Visitor's Center to reach 10,000 feet and it be completely over cast and rainy.  We turned around and went back down since we couldn't see a thing.  We drove down to Makawao, Up Country, where the hippies and cowboys live to walk around for a bit.  We then went over to Ho'Okipa Beach to watch all the surf activity.  We finally ended up in Pa'ia for a little more walking and shopping, but really so we could have Duck burgers at Cafe Mambo.  Pool in the late afternoon.

Dad being funny taking a pic of Mom taking a pic of us at Ho'Okpia Beach

Thursday: Beach in the morning. Lunch at Maui Brewing Company (I'm obsessed with their Coconut Porter and I don't even like Coconut, but it has a chocolate taste, yummy). Pool in the afternoon.  Dinner then bed by 8 or 9pm.

Friday: Another perfect routine vacation day.  Dinner then ice cream and cruising the Shops at Waliea.

Maui Sunset

Saturday: Its cloudy in the am so we skip the beach and just go to the pool.  After lunch we went to Macy's for a quick visit with my cousin.  Back to the pool for the rest of the day (and whale watching).  Dinner, then start packing, tears.


Sunday: Megan left in the am, tear.  And then me and parents drive to Makawao for dinner at Deek and Maria's for dinner.  After dinner it was time for the airport.  Real tears.

Last Day pic with parents

Monday: The shittiest part the 14 hour travel, the whole 6 hour time difference really 'effs you up.

Maui-Wowie photos

Maui-Wowie

Spring Break 2012

This is on my office door just to make all my co-workers jealous (because I'm nice like that).

So true, so true...

My sister-in-law Teresa posted this on facebook for me this morning in honor of my Lent promise.

It's just so perfect and so true.