Early Birthday Celebration and Easter Weekend Recap

Why is coming back after a three day weekend so hard?  You’d think it would be easier, especially after such a lovely weekend, but no no, when my alarm went off the morning I groaned and cursed all sorts of crazy.  But if it weren’t for Mondays, we couldn’t look forward to Fridays, so I’ll deal.  Speaking of Fridays, this past Friday was a lovely start to my long weekend and birthday celebration with my family.  My mom, brother, and I had quite a bit of shopping success in Houston.  I took advantage of Ann Taylor’s 40% off sale, and I must say, I am loving their recent revamp.  I am obsessed with tissue cardigans and long flowy tanks, and right now, Ann Taylor is doing both really well.  I snagged two great cardigans, this pretty petal top, and a black top that I won’t attempt to describe (and can’t find on their website), but can totally envision myself rocking in our new city with skinny jeans and black boots.  Then, we moved onto to Anthro so I could use my birthday discount, and I showed quite a bit of self restraint, leaving with only three items.  One of which was my birthday dress, which I’ll wear when I celebrate with my friends in two weekends.  I love it so much that I have to share a sneak peek :)

The picture simply doesn’t do it justice, so if you want a closer look at the Castle Lake Dress, click here.  I love the rope detailing along the neckline.  Perfect for my upcoming birthday plans!  I also picked up this hat with the money my brother gave me for my birthday.  I have been looking for a hat like this for over a year, but I can’t ever find one that looks quite right.  But this one did the trick for me, though my brother and Matt told me I looked like Jason Mraz lol.  I can’t wait to wear it to summer concerts in Millennium Park! 

Saturday my mom and I treasure hunted all morning, discovering some great (and some not-so-great) garage sales, as well as hitting up our favorite thrift stores.  We both found some great treasures, but rather than show them each individually, I think I’ll wait do a “spot the treasures” post when they’re out and arranged in our home.  That night, to celebrate my birthday, we were supposed to go out for a fun bday dinner, but unfortunately my little brother got really sick, so we stayed home.  My parents offered to take Matt and I anyway, but it wouldn’t be the same without my brother, so we stayed in, and my mom cooked fettuccini, my favorite meal of hers. 

But we since we weren’t going out to eat, and we had some time before dinner, Matt and I decided to go look at new cars  (look not buy!)  We have been talking about trading in Matt’s Aviator because it gets about an inch to the gallon and only takes premium gas, and with Matt having a 45 minute commute in Chicago, its just not doable.  (I wish I could say we’re thinking about the polar bears, but we’re not; we’re thinking about our wallets.)  But, we just went to look.

Annnnd we walked away with this.  Hahahaha, crazy, I know.  But we had a bottom line and they met it, so we went for it.  We were pretty sad, however, to get rid of Matt’s car.  It reminded me of a time when I was little and my parents got rid of their minivan.  My brother and I hated this van.  It was eons old, had no AC, was falling apart, and put out black smoke with any pressing of the gas or brake.  My little brother used to beg my dad to drop him off at the corner rather than in the drop off line at school because all the safety patrol kids covered their nose to avoid the smelly black smoke.  Hahaha, it was awful (but rather awesome now thinking about it.)  When they came to tow the car away (it was way past its trade in day) we all stood on the front porch watching it drive be towed away.  I have such a vivid memory of my brother and I cheering on the front porch while my parents cried.  They talked about all the memories, the trips, and the love in the car, and though I didn’t get it at the time, after Saturday, I totally understand.

Sad day.  I literally cried three times during the car buying process.  It wasn’t about getting rid of the car itself, but about the memories we had with that car and all the fun life events Matt and I have experienced in and with the car.  Sorry Mom and Dad for making fun of you and the black van.  I get it now.  However, Matt and I got over our sadness and celebrated in our first big purchase together as a married couple.  Of course, I got emotional and cried over that too :)

That night we opened presents, and my parents thoughtfully gifted me with a fabulous spa day at Bella Nova spa in Houston.  I absolutely cannot wait for a day of pampering!  Thanks Mom and Dad :)  As you can tell from the picture, we also popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate Matt and I’s new purchase.  Lots of celebrating all around!

Easter Sunday was delightful, and we started the morning off with an awesome message at church.  It was about the baggage we have in our lives, and it really spoke to me and energized me to make some important changes in my life.  They also brought in an amazing singer/songwriter, Sarah Reeves, who made for awesome praise and worship.  Loved her, loved the service, and love God’s incredible love for us.  After church, we came back to admire the lovelies left by the Easter Bunny and enjoy a highly competitive Easter egg hunt.  Though my brother and I are 18 and 25, my parents still indulge us in an egg hunt.  This was Matt’s first year to join in, and no surprise, Ryan and I kicked his butt :)

All in all, it was a delightful weekend!  Nothing makes me happier than hanging out with my family, and I am sad that we will be so far apart come May 25 (our official move day.)  Thanks to my sweet family for being so wonderful, I would be nothing without you. 

So what about you, how was your weekend, what did you do?  I’d love to hear!