Happy New Year Everyone!

Hello 2010!!! I apologize in advance for being a terrible blogger during December. The holidays are just tough to get everything done, huh?


I rang in 2010 in my own home with a small group of good friends and it was the perfect way to say goodbye to 2009 and hello to 2010.

2009 wasn’t a bad year for me…there were certainly elements that didn’t always excite me, but all in all, it was a good year.

I’m excited for 2010’s possibilities, and I’ve made some goals/resolutions for the new year (and these are in no particular order).

1. Eat better and exercise more. I know, I know…this is on everyone’s list, but after seeing my mom’s struggles with her health, I know this needs to be a priority.

2. Be a better daughter. I’ve mentioned that I am an only child, and I live about 3 hours away from my parents. I am super independent, get busy and don’t call or go home to see them nearly as much as I should. I am going to call home more and try to see them at least once a month.

3. Be a better friend. I have so many wonderful friends and they have been there for me when I need them. I need to do a better job at staying in touch with those that don’t live here and do a better job at connecting with those that do.

4. Have a better attitude about life. I think the legal profession leads me to be a little cynical. I need to be more positive about life and look at the bright side.

5. Buy.A.New.Car…my current car is a ’99 and on its last legs. Its time to let it go.

6. See mWm more than once in 2010!

7. Be a better blogger!!! I cannot tell you how much I’ve enjoyed reading your blogs and learning about your lives. Additionally, I have learned so many fashion tips and recipes from you all that I feel more fashionable (and its all been affordable) and I also feel like I am becoming a much better cook.

So here’s to 2010 and its endless possibilities on January 1!

A Chick Lit Book Club

So a couple of my friends and I are going to start a book club...but this book club is going to be a "Chick Lit" ONLY book club.  Quick, easy reads.  Most of us are lawyers and read for a living, so Anna Karenina and 1984 are just not options.  Here are a few of the books we've thought about so far... 

Emily Giffen's Novels.  I've already read three of these and LOVE them!

We've also thought about including some Jane Green novels.

And...my friends want to include these...I'm on the fence...

Anything else we should consider reading?

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

10 Things

Sweet Tales of a Short Southern Mama tagged me on her birthday, giving me the Happy 101 Award.  If you haven't seen her blog, go check it out!

Here are the rules:

List 10 things that make you happy.
(try to do one of those things TODAY!)

Tag 10 bloggers that brighten your day.

Make sure to link back to the person that tagged you!

10 Things that Make Me Happy

1.  My parents

2.  My friends

3.  Thanksgiving!!

4.  High School Football and that I can watch my dad's team play on Friday!

5.  *$ Coffee--yes, straight up coffee makes me happy.

6. Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies

7.  Fresh Sheets

8.  Trader Joe's Mini-Peanut Butter Cups...these may be the end of me. So.Delicious.

9.  A lazy Saturday night with a full DVR.

10.  Long lunches with The Preppy Baby

And the following bloggers brighten my day!

The Preppy Baby

The Land of Syd

Chat Tea Kathy

mWm

Mommy Antics

Confessions of a Domestic Goddess

Classy and Fabulous

My Blonde Reality

Raleigh Caroline

Ramblings of a 30-Something Carolina Girl

Christmas Cards for the Single Girl

I am an adult and I should be able to send out Christmas/Holiday cards.  I should be able to get my act together and complete this fairly simple task.  Since I graduated from law school and been working, I have not been able to send them out.  Its actually really embarrasing. 

A few days ago, I started my search for the perfect Christmas cards.  I am beginning to think that cute holiday cards are only made for families with children.  Attempting to find a card I like that does not require a photograph has been so difficult!  I love getting photo Christmas cards, but I am pretty sure my friends and family don't need a photograph of me in a Christmas sweater that says Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 

Finally, I went to tiny prints.  Below are the candidates.

What's your vote? 

Weight Watchers: I'm A Believer

In 2004, after a LONG weekend in New Orleans, I joined Weight Watchers online.  I lost over 15 pounds, and I have kept most of it off.  I joined with some co-workers, which I really recommend.  We helped each other stay within our points range each day, and a little competition never hurt anyone.  :) 

The plan also forces you to work out.  I love dessert and I knew that I could not have something sweet unless I hit the gym that day.  I still try to follow that logic...or at least think about it.  :)

I will say, though, that I completely gave up all alcohol (no beer, no wine, no liquour) and red meat, which was harder than cutting out wine.  I have added both back into my diet, albeit in moderation.  I still eat the same basic lunch I ate while I was on the plan and I still make the same recipes for dinner, which are super easy.

Here is one of my favorites: Grilled Turkey Cheeseburgers

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground turkey
1/4 cup ketchup (I eyeball it with three or four "squeezes")
1 Tbsp. Dijoin mustard (one to two squeezes)
4 slices of fat free cheese (I use cheddar or american)
4 medium whole wheat hamburger rolls
Lettuce and Tomato

Instructions:

Pre-heat grill/grill pan/George Foreman grill

In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, ketchup and mustard. Mix well and form 4 equal patties, about 1-inch thick.

Grill burgers unitl cooked through, about 5 minutes on each side or about 5 minutes total with a foreman.  Top each burger with 1 slice of cheese, and let cheese melt.  Remove burgers from grill.

Serve cheeseburgers on rolls with lettuce and tomato.

Serves four.

Hope you enjoy!

Great Weekend!

Hello Friends!

Another great weekend here in the land of pigskin.  I spent Saturday in Charlottesville, and got to eat here...it was divine.  The game wasn't great for the Hoos, but I was happy to spend time with my parents.  As an added bonus, I had a hearing in my hometown today, so I followed my parents back and spent Sunday afternoon with them.  I saw my "brother's" little girl, who is simply precious.  I also got to have a home cooked meal with some good family friends.  Its those Sunday evenings that make me wish a little bit more that I lived a little closer to home.

In other news, after a little Friday evening shopping excusion, I have discovered a new "uniform" for myself.  The Preppy Baby and Love and Labs were talking about uniforms a few weeks ago.  This would be my casual uniform because my work wardrobe is too boring...suits are just not that fun. 

Anyway, I hit the jackpot at the Gap. 

I got this shirt in three colors.  It is SO comfortable.

And this...

And three of this...in my wardrobe, I simply cannot have too many cardigans.

Paired with a pair of jeans and these

And that is my new uniform.  Oh, and everything at the Gap was on sale. 

What is your uniform?