Vegas and GaGa

*** Disclaimer*** I seriously LOVE Lady Gaga! I know she's wierd, but her music is GREAT!  Recap... Poker Face, Paparazzi (my new fave) and Just Dance, I mean really people she is GOOD!  So, not only have I been downloading the heck out of her stuff, but butt loads of others as well. I am now in love with OAR's song "Shattered" and of course "Sexy Bitch" (Akon and David Guetta) made the sync as well. 

When I listen to it (Sexy Bitch)I totally think of my Vegas days. Clubbing til 5am, after bar at Hard Rock or Palms, breakfast at the best hole in the wall, sleeping for 6 hours then lay by the pool, did I mention this was a random Tuesday for me?? (Kidding, but funny :)    Ahhhh the old days, when I would come home with more money than I left with and drinks were free (MAJOR hookups at Mandalay Bay) giving losers fake numbers, WHEN THE CHICKA IN THE PICS WAS NORMAL!, opening night to a new club, making more bartender friends, trying to dance like the go-go dancers ( I swear, after 5 drinks we had hotter moves than they did) working a 'normal' job not on the strip, the drive from Mandalay Bay to the clubs ( best 1/2 hour drive ever!) the circle bar at Hard Rock, celebs, freinds getting hit on by celebs, being skinny mini, grapefruit and vodka's, all my patients(esp. the ones from Wisconsin) out-of-towners, being able to tell the cabbie "I live here, take the short way" (what would be a $5 cab ride turns into $100) the airport slot machines, etc... I seriously could go on FOREVER! But this is seriously what I think about when I hear that song.

Never to fold.... Never to fold

Picture it, Siceley 1904 (shout out to my favorite Golden Girl)  Anywhoo... picture it, Sun Prairie, 2009,day off, 2pm, dancing with my dog and belting out "Crazy Game of Poker"  Best day off ever!~

Also, gotta share with you readers that Facebook was getting a bit dull, UNTIL I ran into an 'oldie but goodie'  This picture is the epitome of this gent... and ladies HE IS SINGLE!  (Did you like that shout out Joe?)  Anyways, so good to run into him and chat, however he is dealing with the saddest heartbreak ever! His wife is gone, and i'll leave it at that (no need to devulge too much info) but very very sad. He has been hanging in there, and manages to smile once a day. Good for him right??  I'd say so!

Its been awhile...

I know, I know, Im behind on my updates, however Ive been busy, like SUPER busy with school, getting rear-ended, itchy arm pits (no idea why, but super annoying) finals week, photobooth, Christmas shopping, appliance  and bedroom set shopping( long story) and obscene amount of snow and taking lame pictures for this blog... ha!  Mike is the king of using our, what I like to call "Fancy Camera" and I try to use it but I really need the "How To Use a Fancy Camera for Dummies" book.  IM HORRIBLE! So im sticking to the point n shoot for everyone's sake.

I also gotta tell ya, I was so motivated for Christmas about a month ago, and with all of this stuff (see above) going on, we havent even got a tree yet! Im one of those crazies who likes to put up the tree the first week of December, and here we sit with lights on a hous plant! Pathetic huh?? Oh well... :) I did get some new ornaments that Im excited about too, so what the heck is my problem?? Grinch? Scrooge?? I dont know...
So, I know you are chomping at the bit to know what's up with appliance shopping arent you??  We decided to go to a gas stove for two reasons... 1. more efficient 2. I get to use a dutch oven now! YAY!

In the process of finding a new stove, Mike posted our other one on craigslist and instead of just the stove, he posted all the appliances so they all match the new stove. I will admit Im glad were doing it this way.   AND we finally got our bedroom set! After about three years of scouring American (discount central via Mike) we found "the one."

(is this not the smallest pic ever)

And thats all she wrote... I promise Ill get better about posting after this semester. PROMISE!

Happy Birthday!?! ( Yes it was!!)

As previously mentioned, Mike had planned a trip to Chi-town for the my big 'dirty thirty.'  I just have to preface by saying "WE HAD A BLAST!!!!" 

We left on Sat (21st) at approx. 12noon from our house to arrive at the local Amtrak station. I have to say, this is the flippin cutest train station in the nation! Its located in Columbus WI, which is conveiniently located 15mins from our house. ... anyways, we get there and it looks EXACTLY what you would see in a movie. Small, quaint and literally straight out of the 40's. It was love at first sight and had such a 'romantic feel.'

We boarded this bad boy at 12:45pm, and departed at 1pm. I am telling you... the Amtrak is the BEST way to go to Chicago!  We were sneaky and took the GPS along to cheat and see where we were and how fast we were going.  This thing goes 80mph, can you beleive it???  So, 3 hours later, and only one stop on the way (Milwaukee for 10mins) we arrived.  Best money ever spent!

Then it was 'game on.' Mike and I found a taxi as soon as we stepped out of the station. Arrived at the Wyndham Hotel (which is not even a block from my fave.... Crate and Barrel)  and unloaded our luggage and we were off!  As we were walking out of the hotel, I was convinced my internal GPS was leading us the right way... WRONG!  After a "few said words" to each other for who was right and wrong about directions we stumbled upon a Panera Bread! ( Are you kidding me???? This is my other fave!) I knew I was going the wrong direction for a reason, ha ha!  After our fancy meal out (im a cheap date) we found Michigan Ave. and the it was packed full of people in the street. They had their annual Holiday Festival of Lights/Parade in full swing, but this didnt cause a problem and I b-lined it for C&B!  A total of about 2 hours was spent in my 'little heaven on earth' and I must say... I got a TON of stuff!  Serious damage was also done at Williams Sonoma, the other heavenly store.

Now, instead of writing down every detail of the rest of the trip, I am going to let the pics do the talking... and p.s. I had the point and shoot and Mike had the SLR.       ENJOY!

Since there is SO much hype about DD coffee, I had to give it a whirl... I'd give it a 4/10 (Im being generous :)

Cutest ornament display at C&B

Michael Kors

On my bday, enjoying a coffee and birthday wishes! (the perfect day)

Giant floating 'Frosty the Snowman" behind us! 

Go RED!

Last Saturday my hubs surprised me for my 30th bday. He had this doozy of a party planned since JUNE!  I cant beleive he and all my friends kept this a secret since then. Props to all of my besties who had me fooled!

The day started off with 4 hours of work, then Mike met me at the hosp, walked to Wando's... and there they were, all 15 of my closest friends! Tears were shed and the chaos began!  We hopped on a shuttle bus to Stadium bar where more friends came for the big day. It was great! I was surprised everywhere we went!
I have the BEST friends in the world and of course the greatest hubs too. ( Love you honey!)

 Mike captured  just a portion of our fun we had.

Badger Sat's

Mike and I usually get to go downtown for a few Badger games during the season. Tommorow, however marks our first time for this year!!  We have been incredibly busy with photo booths that we havent had  a Saturday to ourselves. So, bring it on... Im talking the bloody mary's, the chicken sandwich from Wando's, and the many laughs that Mike and I will share while being on a "date day," and hopefully a win! YAY! Go Badgers!

20 Something Girls vs Thirty Something Women... (respects to SATC!)

I am officially jazzed for Thanksgiving/Christmas this year. I think a little has to do with my big 3-0 coming up. I was freakin' for a while regarding this scary age until I started talking to others and they calmed my nerves about this stigma. They assured me that my thirties are going to blow my twenties away, and I of course have high standards since my twenties (especially early 20's) kicked a$$.
 Lets recap... Las Vegas for 5 years, living the 'vegas' lifestyle, buying my first condo at 22, meeting Mike, getting engaged, planning the wedding of my dreams, having met great friends, finishing college,I mean really... what else can you ask for??? 

 Since my bday is so close to Thanksgiving and Christmas and p.s, I have TONS to be thankful for (see list above) :) Ive started 'set the mood' for the season.

 First, Mike surprised me with a trip to Chicago via the Amtrak, and an over night stay on Michigan Ave Nov. 22-23rd.  I have always wanted to take the train and since one of the stations is so close to our house, it should be great!  Mike hasnt informed me where we are staying yet but he is awesome at finding places.

 He also planned this around the Festival of Lights 2009, which is Chicago's version of the kick off to the holiday season. So in preparation I have scoured Crate and Barrel's new catalog/site about 5 times already and lurked the Philosophy counter at Sephora to see what new holiday scents they have come up with this year. I dont think Sephora recieves all the scents for the 2009 xmas season, but I know Macys in Chi-Town wont disappoint.

I also got into the holiday spirit tyring to come up with a new and improved menu for Thanksgiving this year. Mike and I have hosted turkey day at our house for three years now and as you know (or dont) I LOVE Ina Garten from the Food Network, so she is my inspiration this year. She has so many amazing recipes that im going to try to pull off  but more to come on the menu later...  for now I made these cuties today for my 'tablescape.'

I also went to Michaels and bought this  lil' guy for $3, decked him out with an array of free pumpkins that I got from a local farmer who wanted to get rid of them. I also painted the white ones with a sparkly paint for some flair. (Gotta love the dazzle)

Then I got the hot idea that I really wanted to put together our Christmas cards since we just got our 'fall' pic taken I was excited to come up with something creative this year. Here they are in all their glory...

And of course, Mike snapped the proof of my hard work.

So here's to being thirty, Thanksgiving and Christmas... I cant wait!