Sweet Home Chicago

Wow. You guys are seriously amazing. Thank you so much for your kind comments/tweets. You have no idea how much I appreciate them. In true life fashion, things got worse before they got better. I had to have my brakes replaced when I got home. Lets just say I got off the interstate in Illinois and came to a grinding halt. Oh well. It's done, I'm over it. I wasn't going to let that put a damper on my weekend, because I was there to party and spend a stress free weekend with the love of my life and old college friends. And that my friends is exactly what I did. First up though, I had to take Drew to a Chicago land staple: Portillo's

Apparently this boy loves him some hot beef and sausage....take that for what you will.

I however, being the vegetarian I am, enjoyed this delicious concoction of grilled zucchini, onions, mushrooms and tomatoes on sundried tomato focaccia bread. Yummm...

Then it was onto the wedding! I cannot tell you how much fun it was seeing the boys again. I had such an amazing time and it was so great to have everyone together. I'll let the photos do the talking ;)

(and last but not least, the groom looking dapper.)

How was everyone's Halloween weekend? I'm getting back to it, and I cannot wait to catch up with all of your blogs and see everyone's costumes!

Cheers!

Marisa

Just a little something....

This week has been terrible. And it's Wednesday. Let's just say yesterday ended with tears in my pb&j sandwich. It didn't make it taste any better. I was working on a better post, that was full of deep thoughts and probably involved philosophical things that make me feel better than everyone. But then I got sidetracked on twitter and facebook...and I lost interest. I've been going a million miles an hour like a rabbit on crack, and if you follow me on twitter, know that I reached my breaking point last night. I desperately want to catch up on all your blogs, but I have to work tonight and I. Haven't. Packed. Yet. And I leave tomorrow early morning. Kill me now.

Once I get home Thursday I will play catch up with everyone. Providing I don't hurl myself along with my suitcase out the window tonight. You know when I'm panic-packing at midnight.

Cheers,

Marisa

Do you have somewhere else to be? A hideous skirt convention?

I watched The Devil Wears Prada and The Young Victoria yesterday. I'm pretending to be Emily Blunt today. So this weekend was Race for the Cure and it was once again, so much fun. I love seeing the Des Moines capitol building turn into a sea of pink :) It wasn't my best 5k (30 minutes) but I always end up getting choked up a few times throughout the race and I have to slow it down to prevent myself from hyperventalating. This year it was due to many a big burly men running in pink for their moms, sisters, or wives, and also little boys running for their mothers. I may be tearing up about it as I write this. If you've never done Race for the Cure I highly recommend you do. It's such an amazing experience.

I have a short work week as I'm heading home Thursday and heading to a wedding (yay!) As such, I've been working out like crazy and living off a cube of cheese if I feel as though I'm about to pass out (jk just more Emily for you!) This is more for the going home part, less for the wedding. I've discovered it's best to just be my skinniest self and avoid side eye and looks of contempt while at home. I cannot wait for Sunday, as I plan on consuming 5000 calories....for breakfast.

In true me style, I hate all the dresses that I own and am panicking about what to wear. Am I alone in this? I had planned on wearing this emerald green dress I have, but put it on yesterday and almost vommed on my cat. I have another dress that I can wear as back up but I don't looovve it. And I wore blue to the last wedding. I'm going to end up being that girl who wears blue. What do you guys do in situations like this? I'm taking all suggestions.

Cheers!

Marisa

Halloween

I love Halloween. Costuming is the bestie and I's favorite past time. We always come up with great ideas. Sadly this year we have a wedding to go to back in my home state, (super excited for it though I know it'll be a blast) so I won't be able to dress up. Sads for me. So here is a look at last years Halloween where we were finalists in the Des Moines Juice Costume Contest. 

Yes, my friends and I really get into Halloween. Everyone better costume it up for me. I want tons of pictures too. 

My Little Pony Cheers

Marisa

This post is brought to you by boobs

This Saturday is the Des Moines Race for the Cure and I couldn't be more excited! Amber will be there from A Little Pink in the Cornfields and I'm so excited to meet her! This will by my 3rd Race and I always look forward to congregating at the Capitol building with everyone in their pink. It's such an amazing energy; I'm always inspired by the survivors there. Breast cancer does not run in my family, but as we've all learned from Giuliana Rancic, that does not mean we're in the clear. I've decided that come 35, mammograms baby! I don't care if my doctor thinks it's not necessary I happen to like my somewhat below averaged sized boobs and I'd like to keep them. If we have the technology and the means to detect early and save lives then why not? So, start feeling yourself up, get to know your boobs, and get your mammograms!

Speaking of boobs. So, my 30 day challenge is done, and I rocked it. I am now addicted to lifting and strength training and if I do say so myself, I'm pretty buff these days. I've noticed though....my boobs seem bigger. And by bigger I mean I KIND OF HAVE CLEAVAGE. If I wear the right shirt and keep my arms at my side just right. But seriously, they seem bigger. Anyone else every encounter this? Does lifting weights give you bigger boobs? Or is it like the muscles around your boobs giving the illusion that your boobs are bigger? How many times did I say boobs in the last 3 sentences? I'm not complaining or anything. If working out gives me a rockin' bod and bigger boobs I'm all for it. You're welcome Drew.  Let me know if there is any scientific research on this phenomenon. 

Cheers for boobs!

Marisa

Let's hear it for New York

No I am not going to New York, nor am I there. However Drew is there right now being a hot shot and I may have been whining about it for the last few days. Can you blame me? I've never been. So he's been super busy lately, big company meetings and preparing for this trip and I've been missing our regularly scheduled Skype calls. However this morning I got this:

you (view from my hotel room)

I may have had to show it to a few people....and I may have gone back to it a few time throughout the day to get me through work. Whatevs, I know you're all slightly jealous right now ;)

In other news, it is finnnalllly starting to feel like fall around here. Woke up for my run this morning and it was 39 degrees. Most of you are probably cringing, I however was ecstatic. I can finally bust out my good clothes. I invest way more in fall winter clothes than I do for summer. Probably because I hide out in my house a lot during the summer avoiding the sun like the plague. I know, I'm a weirdo.

With fall comes my love of reorganizing and DIY projects. My favorite thing to do on a Saturday night is crack open a bottle of wine and work on a project.....um. Pretend that is my second favorite thing to do next to doing shots of whiskey off strippers and partying like a rockstar. Yeah, THAT is how I spend my Saturday nights....like a rockstar. Maybe just a diy rockstar.

ANYWAY, speaking of DIY and organization inspiration, I'm on Pinterest! Look me up, Marisa84...just like my twitter. I'm not very creative. I'm trying to use it more, but please share with me your favorite jewelry organization ideas because that's what I'm struggling with most. My necklaces are a wreck.

Best Boyfriend Ever Cheers,

Marisa

Back from the dead: Update

So while I was able to save my blog by transferring admin rights to my new email address, apparently that doesn't keep your reading list or mean you keep following your blogs. So, I've been going back and re-following you all. I'm getting there. Stupid a-hole hackers. Also I've been working on my resume and job searching in Minneapolis. I know, crazy times over here. How many states can I live in before I'm 30? Guess we'll find out! Ugh, time to get back at it. How is it that I can talk up my awesomeness on here, but when it comes to my resume I'm like skills??? OMG I HAVE NO SKILLS!!!!!! Can't think of one thing to say about myself. If anyone has any ideas of things I'm awesome at please leave me a comment. I'd appreciate.

Cheers

Marisa

And when she came back for high school, all her hair was cut off and she was totally weird and now I guess she's on crack.

Holy balls it's been forever! How have you all been? What has everyone been up to, whats the cool jams? Me, I've been hitting the gym like crazy and am pretty proud to say the 30 Day Challenege has been going well. Had to take a few days off due to some nasty shin splints (barf), but other than that still going strong. Literally, my arms are buff. It's awesome.

In less awesome news, I had to change email addresses due to some hacking. Yeah biggest pain in the ass ever. I was terrified that I'd lose access to my blog, but I googled that for myself and got if figured out. So luckily here I am still! Wooo!

So I took a break from blogging because I was super busy and feeling overwhelmed, and I guess I wanted to test my love for it. Could it be something I could just walk away from? Answer is: No. I missed you all, reading your blogs, tweeting with you. It's definitely a part of me and always will be. So with that, it's safe to say I'm back and hopefully with some direction this time. That was part of my being overwhelmed. I felt like I was just writing aimlessly, just trying to think of anything to make a post out of. So time to brainstorm, get some new ideas and get back in the game! Can't wait to reconnect with everyone!

Hearts and Stars Cheers,

Marisa