It's a Pink Party!

As some of you may know, I am walking in the Susan G. Komen Boston 3-day with one of my sweetest friends.

In an effort to reach our fundraising goal of $5,000 and have a fantastic night we are hosting a Pink Party this Friday at the Estate.  Put on your prettiest pink attire and get ready for a fabulous night supporting a truly wonderful cause. Only the best of the best dance music will be provided by my Haus Boy, of course, in what he likes to refer to as "Haus for Hope"

Purchase your ticket to the Pink Party here:

Sell Tickets Online through Eventbrite

RSVP to the Facebook event here
& I hope to see you there!

Thank you for your continued support.

xo,
Carolyn

If you can not make it to the party and would like to support team Blondes for Boobies, you can do so here.

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One Year!

I hope you all had a lovely Memorial Day weekend! Not only was it an extra long weekend for me (I took Friday off as well), but it was the BF and my one year anniversary.  Since I planned Valentine's day, he wanted to plan our anniversary evening.  The poor boy had some troubles; he accidentally spilled the beans about where we were going, forcing him to create a plan B the night before, and then on the way to my apartment my card flew out the window! Thankfully he is quite resourceful; and came through to give us both a wonderful evening.

We started it off pretty casually by going to see the Hunger Games! He had promised me a while back that we would see it and it was just one of those things that kept getting put off.  After the movies we headed to the Four Seasons for a drink at the Bristol Lounge.  I had the honey and bubbles and it was divine.

For dinner we indulged in some delicious treats at the Artisan Bistro at the Ritz Carlton.  We both loved the decor and the truffle fries.  After dinner we headed home for some champagne and called it an early night. The BF certainly delivered in planning our anniversary weekend.  Though I wasn't surprised, he always so romantic and thoughtful in planning celebrations, remember our 6 month anniversary and my birthday? I am one lucky lady.

For Memorial Day we headed to the suburbs for a friends "house-iversary" party. I swear I am still full from all of the delicious snacks, I made my buffalo chicken dip of course.

How did you all spend the long weekend?

xx,
Carolyn

Bubbles and Honey & Scotch at the Bristol Lounge

Gorgeous flowers at the Four Seasons

Artisan Bistro @ the Ritz Carlton

Love

Memorial Day in Boston

A Post-Grad's Perception of a Night Out

I think I have officially grown up.  This past Saturday one of my best friends and I got together for a night on the town.  Throughout our friendship dancing has always been our number one priority on a night out.  However, this weekend everything changed. I think we have grown up.

We started the evening off at this great restaurant/bar called Anthem. I enjoyed delicious peach sangria and she had a peach bellini.  We stayed there for about an hour and a half until we felt we were just about ready to get our groove on.

The first place we went was very much a college bar, but we figured that we're not that old and we just want to dance so it will be fine.  Let me tell you, we waited in line, paid the cover, walked in (with some struggles due to an extremely sticky floor), stood uncomfortably in a corner for 10 minutes and proceeded to get out of there as fast as we could.

Next, we went to a bar that was a bit more upscale, we talked to the bouncer and he assured us that we would enjoy it.  The moment we walked in we were approached by 3 guys who would just not get out of our way.  When we managed to ditch them, we took a look around the place, and again realized that this was not for us.

Finally, we went to a very popular bar (though it really is not my favorite).  It was 1am and we figured there would be no cover at that hour and we just really wanted to dance.  We walked up the stairs and onto the dance floor (again, with much trouble due to an even stickier floor).  After literally losing my shoe due to the stickiness, being bumped into, and almost spilled on - we finally gave up and went home.

When did this happen? When did I become absolutely unable to deal with these college shenanigans? It feels like just yesterday I was bopping around Boston between here, there, and the other place with not even a second thought.  It's funny how quickly this has all happened.  I'm not saying it's a bad thing.  We had such a great time out at Anthem and laughing at the ridiculousness of the other places, which I am now to embarrassed to name.  I just had no idea that my perception of a good night out had changed so dramatically. Though I haven't lost my entire "college mentality" as we finished off the night with Domino's.

Nights out like these are much more my style.  Are there any other post grads out there that feel the same way?

xx,
Carolyn

GEM Boston

This past Wednesday, a friend and past boss of mine invited me and some friends for some drinks and apps at GEM. We we're truly given the VIP treatment - the champagne was flowing and the array of apps was divine.  My favorite was the tater tots (these are not your every day tots folks - they are little balls of cheesy potato-y goodness).

GEM is located right downtown in the financial district, next to Sam La Grassa's, for any Boston friends out there.  In an area where Irish pubs dominate the scene, GEM adds some much needed sparkle. Don't get me wrong, I love me some dollar drafts at Coogans, however GEM is much more my style.

Thank you to my fabulous friend for inviting us! We had the most wonderful evening enjoying GEM, catching up, and toasting to a new engagement!

Check out some of Big Night Entertainment Group's other venues: The Estate, Red Lantern, Shrine, Scorpion Bar, and High Rollers.

xx,
Carolyn

Swell Caroline

A little while back I discovered this darling boutique called Swell Caroline.  I swear, every time I visit there site I find at least 20 more things I just have to have.  Now that Boston is finally warming up (though I shouldn't be complaining, we had a very mild Winter), it's time for a summer shopping spree! I know that some of their gorgeous items will make it into my shopping cart.  Check out some of my personal favorites:

Daisy Ring - $30

Kelly Necklace - $140

Harper Necklace - $49

Belmont Horse Bit Cuff - $45

Monogram Earrings - $35

What are some of your must-have summer accessories? I am on the look out for a bright bathing suit to match some of these pretties.

xx,
Carolyn

(This is not a sponsored post)

The Bachelorette

Ladies, the bachelorette is back and it better dang well be a good season! I think we all know how much of a struggle last season was. Does anyone else think Ben was the worst bachelor ever? Goodness gracious, thank gosh for Miss. Emily Maynard. The girl is gorgeous and seems pretty down to earth despite her fame.

Last night there were some interesting characters, only a handful impressed me but I tend to have bad bachelor/bachelorette luck so we shall see! Oh and on a side note, am I the only one surprised that it started so late? I blame my extra glass of wine on ABC ;)

One thing I am looking forward to this season is Emily's wardrobe. I think she has great style and there are rumors that this season has a lot of sparkle.

Who were your favorites last night?

Photo from www.abc.com

xx,

Carolyn

 

Overly Organized

One thing that I simply cannot do without is organization.  It calms me, it keeps me in line, and makes life that much easier.  One of my most recent organizational endeavors is based on a Google calendar.  Naturally, I have always been a fan of the Google calendar for personal use, sorority events, etc - but just the other day when the BF was asking me what we had planned for a certain day I came up with the idea to make a joint calendar.

Anything in green is the BF, anything in pink is me, and anything in turquoise is both of us.  It has made a huge difference in my life so far, especially trying to plan fun summer activities! I know when he has house music festivals, he knows when I'm at country concert's - it's great!

I thought I was super brilliant and creative with this idea, but it turns out a few of my friends and their boyfriends/husbands already use Google calendars and love them as well.

On another relationship note, have you heard of the Pair app? It would be great for a long distance relationships. I love the thumb kiss feature but I do wish it had a calendar.

How do you and your other half stay organized and in touch? 

xx,
Carolyn

The Buzz on Fifty Shades of Grey

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Have you heard of Fifty Shades of Grey? I have somehow been in a black hole and did not hear about it until last week! Well, last night  I bought the book.  I am only a couple of chapters it and I'm already hooked.

All I know so far is the following...

One - It started as Twilight fan fiction.  This does not surprise me at all, from the moment we meet Ana I definitely get a "bella-esqe" awkward vibe.

Two - I keep picturing Christian Grey as a vampire! Not a Twilight vampire though, more along the lines of Eric from True Blood. Alexander Skarsgard himself agrees with me...

This book is beyond hot right now, and I mean that in a few ways.  It is on the top of the best seller list and apparently quite scandalous - though I haven't gotten there yet, so don't tell me anything!

Here's what others are saying about Fifty Shades of Grey..

I promise to keep you all updated on my thoughts, though some I will most certainly have to keep to myself.

PS - check out Brit's take on Fifty Shades of Grey

xx,

Carolyn

Celebration & Relaxation

This weekend was a weekend full of celebration and relaxation.  It started off on a great note with a taco bar and coronas at the office. Needless to say, I was not very productive.

Photo by my friend - Jack Sinclair

After work I headed to Lo Contes to celebrate my beautiful and super smart roomie who just graduated from Northeastern! The evening was full of delicious Italian food & many cheers to Michelle. I am just so proud of her!

Michelle in her graduation best - j.crew

with her beau

love her to pieces.

The following morning I went home for the weekend for some family time.  I cooked my Big Nana these delicious panko and asiago crusted pork chops & went for a walk with my Mama.

Pond Meadow Park - Braintree, MA

Being outside on a perfect spring day is truly good for the soul. It was so refreshing.

What did you all do this weekend?

xx,
Carolyn

Froufrou Friday: The Macaroon

Oh my gosh. Last night I had my first ever french macaroon.  It was out of this world.  I have always been a fan of the Italian almond macaroons but this little banana baby took my love of the sweet to a whole new level.

The Macaroon that changed it all - from L'Aroma Cafe

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I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

xx,
Carolyn

Scent and Memory

It's a commonly known fact that scent is strongly linked to memory, so much so that when the areas the brain linked to memory are damaged, the ability to identify smells is impaired.  In order to identify a smell, you have to remember when you first smelled it. 

I have an oddly sensitive nose and often times I find myself walking down the street, catching a quick scent of something, and have these vivid memories come flying back to me; memories that I maybe have not thought of in years!  Last night on my way home from work I bought a lilac candle.  When I got home I went straight to my room, lit the candle, and laid on my bed for a minute.  Almost instantly I was taken back to summers at my Big Nanas house.  Her house was surrounded by lilacs and I remember picking them so I could surprise her with a vase full of fresh flowers. I laid in my bed for a half hour simply reliving these carefree times.

Thinking about it, it's interesting that I bought that lilac candle. My Big Nana hasn't been doing to well lately and I have been really upset about it.  I think subconsciously I picked up that candle to take me back, cheer me up, and remember all of the happy times.  Big Nana is one tough cookie (despite her size - she's actually 100 lbs soaking wet), I know she is fighting to stay strong for all of those who need her.  We always say she has 9 lives. I know my family and I would greatly appreciate it if you could keep her in your prayers.

Wasn't she stunning? She is still quite the looker, even in her 80's.
I can only hope I look as good as her when I'm that age

What are some of your scent memories?

xx,
Carolyn

Making Things Happen

A while back I started following Lara Casey, Editor-in-Chief of Southern Weddings on Twitter.  Obviously my love for all things wedding related sparked my interest, but it wasn't until recently that I discovered that Lara is not only a wedding guru; she is an inspiring, motivating, humble, and gracious woman.  She is the woman behind the "Making Things Happen" movement.

Right now she is on a US tour "designed to fire you up and get you on a powerful path to making big things happen in life and in business.".  The "Making Things Happen" movement started when Lara responded to an email inquiry with this blog post, which I am looking forward to combing through in further detail this evening. Not long after this post, she was on her first US tour.

Being a 23 year old woman I have the world at my fingertips, I have the power to make my life whatever I want it to be.  However, getting to that point can be difficult, taking control of your life is not always the easiest thing.  I think realizing that you may not have full control of your life is an even harder thing.  Once that realization is made, the opportunities arise.  Considering the US tour is sold out and is cost prohibitive for many, I think following the journey through the MTH tumblr, website, and Lara's personal Tumblr will do, for this year ;).

xx,
Carolyn

Country Concert Essentials

Have you all heard Carrie Underwood's new album "Blown Away"? As always, in Carrie style, it's amazing.  It has me dreaming of summer and country concerts.  So being the country concert professional that I am, I thought I might share some of my country concert essentials with you.

1. The perfect coozie
2. A tent & a collapsible picnic table
3. Snacks - do not rely on your fellow tailgaters for these, not all are as generous as I know you are.
4. A long playlists to keep you dancing
5. A cooler (preferably decorated) and this monogrammed 6 pack cooler tube for when you're visiting friends in parking lots far far away
6. The following girlfriends - the Jack lover, the sangria maker, the token southerner to make us Bostonians more legit, and the one who can convince your neighbors to let you sit in their truck
7. The BF/Husband/Man friend/Guy that you may or may not be kissing - to keep those country boys who have drank too much away.

Country music lovers - what are your country concert essentials? We need to start preparing for this summer's festivities!

xx,
Carolyn