Low-lites, Snookie & Book Club

I'm sure you're probably thinking 1) what do these things actually have in common and 2) why did I misspell Snookie.  Well, I'm about to tell you what these items have in common and no, I did not misspell Snookie in my title or anywhere else in this post.
Low-lites, Snookie and book club are all decisions I made yesterday evening.  Lets start with the low-lites shall we.

I had a hair appointment yesterday afternoon (finally!) for a blond touch up and decided my hair needed a little more flavor and some dimension.  Enter my new BFF, low-lites.  I love them.  My hair is definitely still very blond but it's nice to have some new colors added to my hair pallet.  It gives my hair a softer, richer look it's been missing lately.  I know the low-lites will wash out and fade away in a couple of weeks but right now I am loving them.  {Not to mention Sister Puffin is very excited about the low-lites and still on her big campaign to make me a brunette.....ummm, no.  Mrs. D is a blond lady!}

I'm really embarrassed I'm posting this self pic I took for my sister...but I wanted y'all to see the color before it faded out...so here's my super awkward self portrait/profile.

After my hair appointment I went home to find a wonderful dinner waiting for me, courtesy of Mr. D, and it was delish.  The man can cook!  After dinner I found myself with the biggest sweet tooth.  This is when my friend, the Snookie, came to the rescue.  No, not the orange creature with big hair and a potty mouth.   The Snookie is a special skillet we received as a wedding gift (thanks Aunt Bibi!) and you use it to bake a giant cookie.  Skillet + Cookie = Snookie!  Mmmmmm.  It was just what we wanted and very yummy in our tummies! 

My Snookie!  Nom.Nom.Nom.

After my belly was full I could finally sit down and concentrate long enough to FINALLY pick out a book for my February Book Club.  That's right...I haven't forgotten.  I've just been too busy with everything else lately and put the Book Club to the back burner.  If you are in the Lexington area and are interested in being a part of the Book Club PLEASE let me know!  The more the merrier and I would LOVE to have you join us!  It's a quick read (according to this girl) and we should all have time to read by the end of the month...(if you have issues with the time frame let me know).

Without further ado I give you February's Book Club book....

Any Lexington people who messaged me earlier regarding my previous post about the Book Club should be receiving an email shortly.  I'm working to compose a mass email about the Book Club for those interested and please tell your friends who enjoy reading...I mean it when I say the more the merrier!!!  Anyway, this is the book.  Read up and we'll all meet at the end of the month.  I promise I'll give more notice next time...but at least this (so I hear) is a pretty fast read.  And if it's just me sitting down to discuss the book by myself....well, that will be okay too....at least I'll be back to reading on a regular basis.  :) 

Wishing y'all a very merry weekend!!!

xoxo,

Mrs. D

Secretariat: The Movie & Fashion

Last night Mr. D and I finally watched the movie Secretariat.  It was one we had hoped to see in the theater but never had the opportunity, so it was instantly added to our NetFlix queue.  OMGosh.  I'm so disappointed we didn't see this one in the theater.  It was wonderful! 

We loved every.single.second of the film and had such a fun time playing "where are they" as a lot of the movie was filmed in Lexington.  Coincidentally, several different scenes were filmed at our wedding reception venue, Spindletop Hall.  What's the chance of that?  We both thought it was super neat-o to see our reception site in a movie and other than a few minor changes it pretty much looked exactly the same as it did on our wedding day. 

Another part of the movie we loved (aside from the amazing film about an incredible true story) was the fashion!  SWOON!  The movie was set in the 70's, but all of the clothing was classic, equestrian influenced preppiness we would wear today...or at least Mr. D and I would.  Seriously.  I want NEED to raid Diane Lane's closet from this movie!!!  Even Mr. D was getting into it and loving all the men's fashion.  He kept commenting on various coats, bow ties and slacks he "needs" and got particularly excited when one of the male characters was wearing an ascot (because Mr. D got two new ascots for Christmas! Yes, my friends, Mr. D has decided he's bringing ascots back). 

John Malkovich in his ascot.

Mr. D so excited about his ascots!

Is it Keeneland season yet?

Have you already seen Secretariat?  Did you cry like a baby weep silently like I did? 

If you haven't already seen it I suggest you rent it from Red Box, add it to your NetFlix queue or buy it immediately!  It's a great movie for the entire family and will be enjoyed by both gents and ladies.  I am adding it to my list of "DVD's I would like to own" and can't wait for Mr. D and I to be sporting our "classic, equestrian prep" fashion at Keeneland this spring!

xoxo,

Mrs. D

Three Years Ago Today

Three years ago today I begged Mr. D to take me to Disney World.  He insisted we wait and go to Disney the next weekend instead.  I was bummed.  Disney is one of my favorite places and we had been planning this trip for weeks.  It was the only place I wanted to go that weekend.  Earlier in the week Mr. D's Dad had phoned me and explained he won a sunset boat rental, drinks and dinner in a silent auction and the package expired that very weekend and must be used.  Mr. D's parents were out of town...which left the two of us to use the sunset boat rental.  This meant Mr. D and I had to cancel our Disney trip and go on the boat cruise instead. 
What can I say?  I bought it.  So off Mr. D and I went to enjoy our evening on a lake in central Florida.  Before leaving home my Mom BEGGED me to "fluff up" (you know, fix my hair...wear something cute...put on some makeup...) but I insisted it was "no big deal.  Just a spin on the lake." 

Three years ago today Mr. D took me for an afternoon cruise on the lake...

It was a beautiful day and we took turns driving the boat around the lake.  Actually, that's completely false.  Mr. D drove the boat around the lake and I only stood behind the wheel long enough to take this picture.  Hahaha. 

While riding in the car on our way to the lake we found an old CD Mr. D had made for me years earlier.  We decided to pack it for the boat.  Mr. D likes to sing along. 

The first couple of hours on the boat were fun and nothing out of the ordinary, as Mr. D is always a pretty romantic guy.  There were 2 glasses and a bottle of champagne waiting for us.   You know...all part of the silent auction Mr. D's Dad won.  I was loving our date!  I kept going on and on about how nice everything was and how Mr. D's parents were totally missing out on their romantic date...but I was glad they were because we got to enjoy it instead. 
At one point I even looked right at Mr. D and said "Wow. This would be such a perfect proposal idea!  Now someday when you propose you're going to have to top this!"

We were having such a wonderful time and I didn't want our time on the water to end.  It was the most perfect and romantic date I had ever been on.  We decided to go ahead and anchor the boat to watch the sunset.  While we waited on the sun to set we sat talking and laughing and eventually dancing to some of our favorite tunes (like I said, Mr. D is a pretty romantic guy). 

We were standing up watching the sun sink below the water when all of a sudden Mr. D dropped to his knee.  For an instant I had a complete out of body experience as I processed what was taking place.  Mr. D then said some really wonderful things (which I'm not going to share because they were just for me) and I fell to my knees sobbing pretty hysterically.  I was SO surprised and SO caught off guard.  Mr. D proposing was the last thing I expected and I was not emotionally prepared (I didn't even know he had purchased a ring).  There are no words to explain how I felt during those exact moments...I was beyond ecstatic!  In fact, I was so happy I forgot to tell him "YES!!!" until he asked me if "all the crying meant yes?"  It was all perfect. 

The proposal became even more special when I found out Mr. D designed my ring and it was made by the same jeweler in eastern Kentucky who made three of my Aunt's engagement rings.  The whole day seemed so surreal I kept having to stop and ask Mr. D "if all this was really happening?  For real?  It's all happening in real life?"

Later that night Mr. D and I went to dinner (remember, the auction package came with dinner)  which he planned as a late dinner because he knew I would want time to shower and fluff up first (shoulda listened to Mom when I had the chance!).  Just when I thought the evening couldn't get any better we arrived at dinner.  We were the only two people sitting outside on the terrace and Mr. D's parents previously helped him locate the perfect spot where we would have the best view of the golf course.  They also had flowers and a card waiting for us to congratulate us on our engagement.  :) 

Needless to say the "silent auction" part part of the date was all a lie.  There was no silent auction.  Mr. D and his parents contacted the right people in their town, filled them in on the idea and set up the ruse to trick me out of going to Disney World.  Mr. D had the ring and it was burning a hole in his pocket (Literally! Crazy guy carried it in his pocket every day for a week and a half!)  Everyone really went through a lot of trouble and put forth a lot of effort to make the elaborate scheme believable.  I (obviously) ate it up and really didn't suspect a thing. 

I love telling the story of our proposal.  It's so very special and so very "us."  As I sit here writing this post I still get butterflies just thinking about our day on the lake together.  Looking at these photos (btw, THIS is why I ALWAYS have a camera on hand...you never know what's going to happen) and remembering our special date three years ago today makes me smile from the inside out.  I still feel like I'm the luckiest girl in the world and I wouldn't change a thing about our proposal. 
Oh...and in case you're wondering, guess where we went the next day...

Thanks again, Mr. D for an unforgettable day.  Happy Engagement-versary! 
I love you.
(Oh...and Herb, the other Mrs. D, Kim & Uncle Mark...if you're reading big thanks to you too for your assistance in my perfect proposal!)

xoxo,

Mrs. D

(I tried not to get too mushy for y'all...I just wanted to tell our story the way it happened.)

Craving My Americano

I sit here typing this and the same thought keeps moving through my head. 

"I want Starbucks."
"I want Starbucks."
"I want Starbucks."

My favorite - Caffe Americano.

How did this happen?  How did I get to this point?  How did I manage to go from a girl who had completely given up caffeine a couple of months ago...to a girl addicted to Starbuck's Caffe Americano?  It only took a couple of days and I was hooked.  (Ha!  That sounds like a line from one of those True Life: I'm Addicted to Meth shows, right?)  Just a couple of trips to my closest Starbuck's and I am willing to wake up extra early every day to get my morning fix.  Sure, it may only be an extra 20 minutes...but I hate getting up in the morning and 20 extra minutes of cuddling with McGruffy is a lot in my world. 

Perhaps it's this cold, nasty weather here in Lexington that keeps me going back?  Nothing warms up my insides like a nice, warm, heavily caffeinated beverage from Starbuck's.  Maybe once Spring is finally here I'll be over my craving for the warm, rich liquid.....?  Probably not.  Soooo.....here I sit with my boring (yet free) glass of water.  No Starbuck's.  No Caffe Americano.  A girl can dream right?  Oh....and if you're reading this Mr. D....a hefty Starbuck's gift card would make an excellent Valentine.  (Hint. Hint.)

Isn't it sad I want a Starbuck's card and new gym shoes for Valentine's Day?  While most ladies are hoping for flowers, jewelry and chocolate....I want caffeine and exercise gear.  Wow.  That request may officially make me a loser.  Oh well...at least I'll be an in shape loser with a caffeine buzz. 

Do you visit Starbuck's often?  What's your favorite drink? 

If you are a Starbuck's fiend do you participate in the My Starbucks Rewards program?  It's free and you get points for every visit...eventually earning a free drink after 15 visits, a free drink on your Birthday, free refills on brewed coffee if you are dining in, etc.  I highly recommend signing up to participate in the Rewards program if you haven't already done so. 

xoxo,

Mrs. D

A Super Weekend! (with lots of photos)

Hey y'all!  Anyone else feel crappy after all the junk food consumed this weekend?  Or is it just me?  I ate so much crap this weekend...but I don't care because there were plenty of reasons to celebrate starting Friday evening because I passed my exam!  WHOOOO!  Now, this just means I have to start studying for the next level and complete it as soon as possible (and I'm even more nervous about this test because the passing rate is pretty low on the first attempt).  Also, I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who sent me sweet lil' good luck messages.  You are the best!

Saturday was the University of Kentucky Greek Sing and Mr. D, my family and I went to cheer on my Sister and my cousin, Olivia (aka Little O).  When it was finally Delta's turn on the stage we all sat there in awe.  Not only was TriDelta the reigning Greek Sing champions...but this year the routine was just as incredible!  The theme was Vegas and the girls really outdid themselves.  They spent months working on their routine, costumes, music and props and you could really tell.

Haha.  My sister would be Elvis!

Little O & Sister Puff ready for the competition!

Delta girls!

She really got into character.

Part of their cheering section!

Z thought Elvis made the perfect pillow.

Z's parents came down all the way from Ohio to cheer the girls on.

Alan from The Hangover started the show.

(sadly, my only pic of the Elvis solo was blurry.)

When all the performances were complete and it was time to announce the Greek Sing Champions.....it was no surprise to hear the Delta girls won it ALL - AGAIN!  Back-to-back Greek Sing Champions!!!  They were all freaking out and it was just so cute.  (I was definitely having college flashbacks - haha.)

When the winners was announced.  Go Tri Delta!

Seeing all those Delta's being flashed on stage brought back major memories.

WHOOO!  SO EXCITED!

A congratulatory hug for my girls!  SO proud of you both!!!

Several of you have asked me about the Florida v. Kentucky basketball game that took place Saturday night...and I must admit it, I was happy to see my Gators win.  However, I still love my Cats and I prefer to call myself a GatorCat!  :)  You see, I knew going in to the game I would be happy with the outcome either way.....it was a win/win situation for me because my two favorite teams were facing off against one another.  I would be happy with the winner no matter who it was but it was nice to see my Gators win at home because I know there's a good chance the outcome will be different when the Gators re-match the Cats in Rupp Arena at the end of the month.  Not to mention I love Billy Donovan and will always support him!  (If you haven't read this article you really should - great article about three awesome SEC coaches.)

Now on to Superbowl Sunday.  You know I was ecstatic with the Pittsburgh Steelers playing in the big game!  The outcome wasn't great for my team, but it was still a close and exciting game to watch.  Mr. D and I invited a few people over to our house for a Potluck Style Superbowl Party.  All the food was delish and we had a great time hanging out, catching up and watching the game. 

I attempted making Whoopie Pies for the first time.  I wanted them to have Steelers colors so I made classic yellow cake with dark fudge icing.  They weren't as "pretty" as I hoped they would be but I thought they tasted great (if I must say so myself). 

I also made a Cheddar Cheese Fondue...one of my old specialties I hadn't made in years.

(Side note: I really want to host a fondue party some time...wouldn't that be fun?)

I guess I spent all my time stuffing my face and watching the game because I really didn't take many photos.  I did get one photo of everyone watching the game but it was before all our guests arrived so I failed on that mission. 

Okay, if you're actually still reading this let's chat about the game halftime performance and the lack of quality commercials.  First, the halftime show.  Was it just me or was Fergie SCREAMING the entire time?  UGH!  AWFUL!  I thought it was terrible.  She looked terrible and sounded terrible and the majority of the songs were crap (in my opinion).  The best part was when URSH-HER came out and briefly revived her performance....only to fall into a giant hole in the stage never to be heard from again.  Seriously...why didn't they just hire Usher for the halftime show?  It would have been soooo much better!  A little "Yeah" up in that stadium would have rocked my socks!

Second, where were the commercials last night?  I hardly saw any I really enjoyed.  In fact, there were only two for me.  The first was the Budweiser commercial that started as a western and ended with a little Tiny Dancer.  Loved it!!!  (Not to mention Tiny Dancer is one of my all time favorite songs.)
The second commercial I loved was the NFL commercial of clips from TV shows where the cast is rocking various NFL logos on their clothing.  Again, loved it!!!  It was creative and fun to see flashbacks of great television shows from the days gone by. 



I was definitely disappointed with the outcome of the game.  I would have LOVED to see my Steelers win it all again...but you can't win them all.  :( 

Mr. D snapped this picture of me pouting after the game. 

I'm not too sad though because I know Coach will have them ready for another great season next year!

(Photo with Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach, Mike Tomlin.)

What did y'all do for the Superbowl?  Did you hate the Halftime Show as much as I did?  What about the commercials...any favorites?  Did you have a stellar weekend too?  I hope so!

xoxo,

Mrs. D