I Spy a Vera

On the road again, I could wait to get on the road again. Michael and I are hitting the pavement again, this time we are headed for Dallas. It’s so odd but even when I type the word a strong Texan accent pops into my head.

After trips overseas, Alabama, Florida, and The Bahamas, we are headed to thea Lone Star state. Despite the frequent flier opportunities, I honestly can’t wait to stay home for a weekend.

But this trip is going to be a fun one. We are celebrating the marriage of one of Michael’s first cousins. It’s really odd. Michael only has TWO first cousins. I on the other hand come from a huge southern family. We’re talking 9 first cousins on just my mother’s side of the family! Not to mention the second and third “kin” that I am just as close to.

So I have my bagged packed and I am ready to go…sitting at the airport. I think I recently jinxed myself. Bragging about how my flights are never delayed and I always receive my luggage, was just asking for a problem. The past two flights I have taken have been delayed. And not just a few minutes sitting around to board the plane…try over 3 hours sitting on the tarmac! Add to that the odd Dutchman sitting behind me continually giving my back a nice massage with his knees and the bitchy woman next to me who I strongly believe is texting about me to her girlfriends and it makes for an interesting flight.

But anyways, taking this trip has made me realize that I am not alone when it comes to appreciating the benefits of Vera Bradley. Although MANY, and when I mean MANY we’re talking most of my immediate family, friends, and husband do not enjoy the vibrant and loud prints. My mom said it best when she said I look like a 65-year old woman getting ready to head to a knitting session. Or my husband who thinks the prints are just god-awful. But then again he does own over 20 blue button-downs, so maybe he needs to realize variety is the spice of life (I kid, I kid…).

As I was getting out the cab what did I see…Vera. As I headed through security what did I see…Vera. And as I walked through the terminal what did I see…take a guess…Vera Bradley. You see everyone else must appreciate the lightweight, pack it until it bursts, and throw it into the washing machine when you get home abilities of Vera Bradley luggage.

I proudly rock my quilted, monogrammed backpack and carrying my bright pink duffels. Yes, I can be easily spotted in a crowd. And I have been known to coordinate my outfit to my luggage and not realize it.



But for all of you haters out there I preach to you this…next time you are waiting for your boring black suitcase on the conveyor belt, watch as I immediately spot my brightly patterned bag with confidence. I KNOW it’s my bag, no need to check the tag…Well that is until the 65-year old woman next to me goes to grab the bag too. I guess the luggage appeals to all ages…

Just when I finally decide to complete a project...

This weekend was one of those where I caught myself sighing and exclaiming "this is just perfect" (yes, I am quite use to talking to myself). Of course, it would have been even better if my dear husband was in at least the same zip code. But I know he is having just as much fun participating in a good friends "mustachelor" party.

I began the weekend randomly wandering around my favorite haunt Wegman's. With Michael out of town I knew this was my opportunity to indulge in a few of my favorite "single" lady habits. Mine involves a whole lot of humus, Fruity Pebbles, girly apple cider beer (don't judge), and a marathon of Hoarding and HGTV. As much as I love company, sometimes nothing feels better than napping undisturbed, eating cereal 3 times in one day, and watching a certain show without your significant other telling you you have eerily similar characteristics to the disturbed individuals you love to watch.

Nothing better than fresh flowers to start your day.

Saturday morning I got up at the butt crack of dawn...6AM!! It might as well have been 4AM, I am not a morning person. The reason for waking up with the roosters...Little Green Notebook's big sale at the Arlington Flea Market. I simply knew it was meant to be when the date was changed and I was going to be in town.

After a short call to Sarah, we were all set and ready to get our shop on.

Jenny is an amazing interior designer with a great flair for updating god awful pieces of furniture into something brilliant and bright. Only one problem...apparently a lot of her blog readers had the same idea. We arrived at 7:10am and over half of the items were gone and spoken for. I did manage to snag a few treasures.

A huge side table, chair frame and 2 lamp shades for $50! Now I know the chair is missing a major piece for sitting, but it's nothing a piece of plywood and staple gun can't solve. I haven't decided what color I am going to paint it (I know it will be bright like red or turquoise) and the fabric is going to be something fun too. Same thing with the lamp shades. I just love the shape and plan on covering them in fabric. Now, I just need a house to put them in...

The cool luggage I found while we were loading Sarah's SUV. I have a thing for vintage luggage and this set is lined in purple satin!

My little bug can do anything! You can only imagine the looks I got driving down the road.

Because we were up bright and early I had my whole day ahead of me. It was really odd to be out and about, go out to breakfast, and unload my car all before my normal 10am rising. So what did I do...came home and took a nap.

ATTENTION ALL DISBELIEVERS! (i.e. Michael) My thumb does have a little green in it. Check out my peppers!

Bet you know what I had for dinner...

My Hoarding marathon also inspired me to clean the house from top to bottom. I figure nothing is better than coming home to an immaculately clean house.

One of the individuals on the show, had piles and piles of projects that eventually they claimed they would complete...hmmm doesn't sound like anyone I know. I figure maybe I should get around to sewing those living room pillows that I have had the fabric for since February. Only one problem....

MY SEWING MACHINE IS A PIECE OF @%#!

I guess things were going just a little too perfectly. Tomorrow I am going to head to JoAnn's and find out if its worth it to fix it.

But until then I am going to cling to the rest of my weekend and single girl habits. Eat my Kit Kat with chocolate milk and watch the best night of television (Big Brother, True Blood, Hung, Entourage, and Mad Men). AND I may have another bowl of cereal while we're talking about it...

Home Sweet Home...at least for a few days.

Michael and I have turned into quite the jet setters...but no complaints here. Racking up the frequent flier miles! Well actually, that's not true. It would be amazing if we could spend some of that travel together!

My dear husband spent a month running around the desert on his big adventure. But the location, temperatures in the triple digits, and a hint of danger kind of made me stay put in the suburbs of DC. Don't get me wrong, we all know how much I just love spending time outside, sweating and dodging for cover, but I just couldn't get myself on the plane.

It's actually quite pretty...

It is fashionable to decorate your vehicle. Like we're talking beads that sound like wind chimes hanging from the back!

Check out that beard! Isn't he sexy??

Michael returned only to drop me off at the airport the following day. For what you may ask...Girl's Weekend 2010!!

All Aboard!!

We drank... a lot. We ate...a lot. We gossiped...a lot. I soaked up the sun... a lot (with the peeling nose to prove it). Overall the perfect trip. Fortunately I did not weigh myself before the trip. But the multiple breakfasts, lunches (yes plural), and many entrees (in one sitting) did add to my waistline. Gasp, I was unable to zip up one of my dresses by the end of the trip. And another gasp, all of the weight gain and lack of clothes fitting didn't stop once we stepped off the boat. NONE of US spent less than $8 at Taco Bell upon returning. When on a cruise do as other cruisers...stuff your face and worry about it later. That's what sweatpants are for!

Here's a few of my favorite pics from the weekend.

Reema and I survived the heat for our muster just in time for the bar to open!

Arghhh

Welcome to Atlantis!

Elisabeth who is that sneaking up on you?!?!?

Oh it's the man dancing around barefoot!

It was a good thing Michael was used to the heat...our A/C broke the night I left for my trip. For days, our condo neared the 90 degree mark. Adding a sunburn suffered by both of us, and it made for a pleasant homecoming.

Just in time for the A/C to be fixed...Michael left for his own guy's trip. A...get this...Mustachelor Party. Yes, not just a bachelor party, but every one of the 15 guys on the trip grew out a nice little stache to make all other cruisers uncomfortable. Hmmm...I wonder if we girls decided not to shave our legs if we would get the same reaction.

My bearded dreamboat returns Monday only to empty the suitcase and fill it again. We're heading to Dallas! The home of big belt buckles, big hair, and big fat Republican pot bellies...well scratch that last part. I will be contributing a big fat DEMOCRAT belly. I wonder if I will blend in. Any restaurant recommendations to add a few inches? FLAT Belly to FAT Belly or bust....my zipper.