GOMO

Happy Monday!!

Or in the land of Serindipity...Happy Oxymoron Day!

I'm fresh off the plane from New Orleans and I already want to go back!  I'll post a recap tomorrow.

Today we're focusing on GOMO!  What is GOMO?

In the Netflix and Chill world we live in, GOMO (Go Out More Often) is, sadly, a novel concept!   Eventbrite, an event planning and management software company asked me to list some GOMO ideas!  Eventbrite is awesome because it lets you plan events, send out digital invites, track RSVPs, sell your tickets online and track ticket sales in real time.  This sounds like an awesome way to keep track of all of your holiday parties!

I know that with winter coming, most people prefer to stay inside and hibernate, but I LOVE this time of year!  There are so many exciting things to do outdoors this time of year.  I may be am totally 100% biased because of my December birthday, but I just have to celebrate the season by going to ALL.THE.HOLIDAY.AND.WINTER.THINGS!  I've created a list of holiday/winter things that are must do's in the Philadelphia/Souther NJ area.

1.)  Turkey Trots!

I LOVE this Thanksgiving tradition.  Most are 5ks and can be found in multiple towns around the area.  I usually run the Moorestown Turkey Trot.  I always feel less guilty pigging out once I've completed the pre-dinner race.  A little fresh air also cuts the family togetherness tension :)  Here are a list of local Turkey Trots near me!

Last Year's Moorestown Turkey Trot

2.) Dickens' Village

Macy's in Philadelphia, located in the old Wanamaker Building, puts on a recreation of Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol, every year.  Visitors walk through an impeccably decorated story walk.  Visitors wind through the 3rd floor or Macy's and view animatronic dolls that depict the major scenes from the book.  We've been going forever and it's something I look forward to every year.  It starts the day of Thanksgiving!  Macy's also does a light show set to Christmas music and features many classic Christmas stories including The Nutcracker, Frosty, and Rudolph.  My family used to go every year, but now my girlfriends and I have turned it into a fun prelude for festive cocktails and dessert at The Melting Pot or Max Brenner's.

3.) Santa Runs/Holiday Runs

After Turkey Trots, these have to be my favorite holiday races.  Racers dress up in holiday garb and run around different neighborhoods.  One cool thing about these races is that they tend to mix up the distance.  Most Turkey Trots are 5ks, where Santa Runs vary from one mile runs to marathons.  You can join a Running of the Santas, or an ugly sweater run, a hot cocoa run, and a reindeer run.  All of these are an awesome way to GOMO and get some exercise in!

4.) Christmas Village

Philadelphia holds an annual Christmas Village complete with a German Christmas Market featuring local vendors.  Every day there is something new for visitors to experience.  Buy some hot cocoa and walk around with a Bavarian pretzel and take in all of the holiday goodies.  Most events are free and family oriented.  Plus, it's Center City locale makes it a great way to start or end your Dickens' Village trip.

5.) Peddler's Village Gingerbread House Contest

On December 3rd and 4th, Peddler's Village hosts a Christmas Weekend complete with shopping, Santa parades, and a Gingerbread House Decorating Contest.  Peddler's Village is cute the other 363 days a year, but this weekend they go above and beyond.  You can purchase cookies and hot cocoa and walk around.  PLUS parking and admission is free!

6.) Living Nativities

As kids there was nothing I loved more than hearing the story of Jesus' birth. We would visit multiple local churches and see their recreation of the story of Jesus' birth.  Each church put their own spin on it, including importing livestock, music, stunts, and special effects.  Such a great way to remember the Reason for the Season.

8.) Craft Shows

Most local high schools and churches feature Christmas Craft Shows.  These are great places to go to pick up gifts for co-workers, neighbors, and hostesses.  Most feature locally made products (think homemade jams/honeys/baking mixes) at reasonable prices.  Plus, I always feel better buying from local artisans.  Most of these also feature a Cookie Walk...not that I ever visit those :)

9.) Ice skating at the RiverRink

Philly has a really awesome outdoor RiverRink where skaters can go to enjoy some exercise, treats, and family time.  I'm a horrible ice skater so you probably would only get a visual of me falling to the ground multiple times.  The rink opens November 25th!

10.) Xfinity Live!

We're really luck in Philly because right next to our sports' arenas is a really cool multi-bar hangout called Xfinity Live.  It features Philly favorites (Geno's and Chickie and Pete's) and other fun bars.  My friends and I like to go and watch basketball, hockey, and football games.  It's a great (and cheap) way to view the games!

11.) Hockey games

My friends and I love Philly sports!  We try to see a Flyers game live every season.  This year, we're going to see Carrie Underwood's husband, Mike Fisher's Nashville Predators take on the Flyers!

12.) Light Displays both local and independent

Many towns feature The Best of Light Displays and list homes that really go over the top with their decorations.  My friends and I like to do a Christmas Dinner Party.  We wear our jammies, bring a course, and eat a nice Christmas meal before we head out on a self-directed lights' tour.  We bring hot cocoa and homemade cookies and turn the Christmas jams up loud!

Last year's lights and dinner tour

If you want a more formal Christmas Lights' Display event you can usually find them at  local farms.  Johnson's Farm does a great one in South Jersey.

13.) Sixers Games

Just like hockey games, we try and visit a Sixers game every year.  Tickets are super cheap and can be found on Groupon!  I'm Cait, her brother, Dylan, and I may all join up and go see a game.

14.) The Nutcracker

My.Favorite. Tradition.  Deb and I usually go see The Nutcracker  every year because I love the ballet!  We usually see the Pennsylvania Ballet's performance, but tickets can be expensive.  Groupon currently has the NJ Ballet's performance for $12!  Local ballet companies also perform this show.

Deb and I before the ballet last year

15.) House Tours

Many older towns feature House Tours.  Moorestown, Haddonfield, and Riverton all host Christmas House Tours.  Visitors can pay a one time fee (usually $25) and get to tour houses decorated for Christmas.  The towns' historical societies usually put on these events.  They're super fun to explore and see all of the old, beautiful mansions' decorations.  We usually turn it into a family affair and bring my aunts, cousin, Cait, and her mom.  We do dinner before and turn it into a fun Girls' Night Out!

16.) Longwood Gardens 

If you are from this area, you know Longwood Gardens is a holiday couple's day out fave.  Everyone and I mean everyone takes their significant other to visit the Gardens and take a Christmas picture in front of the giant Christmas tree.  If you're rolling solo this holiday season (like me!) you and your friends can visit it and then grab a good dinner on the way home.

I hope you all enjoyed this list of holiday fun activities!  Remember, use Eventbrite to help you plan your holiday events!  It gives you total control over your event and keeps you in charge of your event with painless event guides and services!   


Can't wait to tell y'all about my trip to visit Zach!

XOXO,

E

These Boots Are Made For Walking

Happy Wednesday!

Can we just take a moment to talk about fall fashion?  Ok, good!  Now let's talk about the best fall fashion statement:  BOOTS!  This fall I'm rocking my fall uniform of leggins, long sweater, and BOOTS!


Raise your hand if you are loving fall because it is synonymous with boots!

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Boots are some of my all time favorite things and my super fave pair are my cowgirl boots.

Virginia Boots

Wine Festival 

Getting Ready to Shake It For Luke

As you can see, I'm a huge fan of boots!  With that being said, it's easy for them to get beat up and look more crumby than Carrie.  Even though I'm a huge fan of my boots looking a little beat up and worn, there's the fine line between messy hot and hot mess.  

I love my boots, but I always fear those inevitable salt stains that show up on the day of most-needing-boots-day!  You know what I'm talking about, those freezing cold days where there is so much snow and ice, so you need something durable and warm that will prevent you from falling.  THOSE are my favorite boot days.  What is a boot loving girl to do?!  

FEAR.NO.MORE.  The professionals at King's Ranch Saddle Shop are here to help!  

I agree completely!  I have to say I'm a little messy, but one thing I always make sure to do (no matter how much fun I've had dancing in my boots) is to put my boots away after every use.  They go back in their shoe box up on a high shelf.  

Some of my fave boot preserving tips are here!

1.  Always let your boots air out after they get wet.  I put them in my mud room and stick pool noodles inside them to help preserve their shape.  

2.  Dry wipe your boots!  If you like your boots to look a little more worn in, I suggest dry wiping your boots.  I grab a soft tooth brush/kitchen brush and start rubbing them down when I get home.  My boots are dull leather so this does not effect their shine or polish.  

3.  Know your boots/weather/day.  When it's raining I don't wear my good boots (Tory Burch boots or suede Toms boots).  It's super irresponsible to wear your good boots out in the rain.  If you're caught out in the rain with your boots, I am not ashamed to say that I've wrapped my boots in Shop Rite bags.  #shoes4life!  

4. Leather Honey!  Leather Honey is a great product that helps you shine up your boots and make them look brand new!  

I hope you enjoyed this little care post!  Keep strutting in your boots!  I have to link you to their beautiful boots page!  OMG!  I want those Ladies Tall Wine Boots!  SO so so beautiful!  Plus they scream fall to me!

Check out all of their stylish cowgirl boots!  And if you are feeling like a generous lady...there are some boots for your cowboy, too!

XOXO,

E

He's Her Lobster

On September 23, 2016 my blonde bestie Kate married her lobster Bill.

Kate and Bill are such a fun couple and it was truly my honor to stand up them on their special day.

The day started early on Friday morning with hair and makeup at Salon G in Hamilton.



When we walked in we were greeted with Mimosas and breakfast.


Kate said yes to Bill and I said yes to champagne!  That's the same thing, right?

Post Glam Shoot

It was a pretty chill atmosphere in the salon.  Everyone was calm and excited.  The country jams were  pumping through the speakers and we all sat around chatting and giggling.  Mimosas+girl talk+being serenaded by Luke Bryan?= My kinda party!

Kate getting glam

A little Maid of Honor/Best Friend Bonding session courtesy of SnapChat

We then went back to Kate's house to get ready for the wedding.

Kate looked incredibly gorgeous!  Kate is one of those people who looks amazing without makeup on, too.  Some of us (me) look like Death's ugly sister when we wake up, but Kate wakes up looking glamtastic.  She looked insanely gorgeous on her wedding day!

Gorgeous!

All hail the veil!

Seesters 

The photographer took pictures at her parents' house and we all got ready.  Shout out to Kate's dad for being the only one who could lace up our bridesmaids' dresses!

We then piled into the limo and drove off to the church!  When we got there, we were greeted by a bag piper!  He was a surprise from Kate's dad as a nod to Kate's Irish culture.  It was so romantic and added a fun upbeat element to the entrance.  We MAYBE felt like we were being ushered into a real life fairy tale.  #Cinderellagoals

The ceremony was a beautiful service given by Kate and Bill's childhood priest.  I always love when the clergy knows the couple because it makes the service more personal and special.

Getting ready to greet the couple

After the wedding, we piled into the limo and the party started.  There was a ton of dancing, champagne sipping, and laughing.


Our first stop on the Kate and Bill Wedding Photography Tour?

The elementary school where Kate and Bill met.  So sweet!  Bill's class came out and they took a group shot with the newlyweds.



After the elementary school cuteness, we went to Princeton University for the majority of our shoot.  It was the perfect day...80 and NO HUMIDITY!  My hair thanked God for this!

Next, we headed to Point Pleasant for some pictures on the beach.



Finally, we ended our tour at the reception hall.  We went into the Lobster Shanty and we were filled with anticipation about the upcoming night's festivities.  First of all, the food?!  OHHHMYYYLAWWWD!  We munched on calamari, veggies, fruit, cheese, lobster rolls, wontons, pretty much anything and everything!

How cute is this cake?!  He's her lobster <3 

The bridal party then was summoned to make our grand entrance.  To keep up with the school motif, the 3 groomsmen and I came out by leap frogging.

Kate's dad gave a great speech welcoming Bill and his family into their family.


 Bill's dad sang Frank Sinatra's All The Way for Bill and Kate's first dance.  It was beautiful and so touching that his dad was able to perform it.

The band started to play and from their first note to the last note, no one left the dance floor.  The band was so good!  They were awesome because there was not "break"!  Every few hours some band members would go take a break, so the band was never "off".


Kate's sister gave a beautiful speech that was both funny and touching.

Dev killing the MOH speech

Bill's best man, Charlie, gave a funny speech and revealed some secrets!  Everyone was cracking up.

Charlie making the room laugh

Dinner was amazing!  I'm pretty sure I ate more seafood that day than I have in my whole life.  I regret nothing!

Yep...get jealous

There was a cake AND a chocolate fountain.  This is a wedding trend I can get on board with.  I dipped strawberries, pineapples, marshmallows...and all the cookies on the dessert table into the chocolate.  It was perfect!  Some people may have judged me for eating all.the.brownies. but I don't care.  Bridesmaid privilege.

Maria and my adopted Aunt Dee! 

Everyone had a great time and I was truly sad that it was over.

The happy couple

Kate and her dad's father/daughter dance

Pretty much sums up the night

Love those smiles 

Kate's Annie Banks Mackenzie Father of the Bride-esque sneaks 

The next day we all reconvened at breakfast and talked about what a fun night it was.  There was so much love and family sitting around the table that even though it was raining outside, it seemed to be sunshiny and bright.

This was the fruit cup.  I kid you not.  

It was a beautiful weekend and I am so happy for Kate and Bill!  I can't wait to see what the future holds for this beautiful color!  

XOXO,

E

Happy Monday!

Iiiiiii'm BACCCKKK!

How are you lovelies?!

I feel like I haven't been here in

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**Enter tear that baseball season is now officially over**

Although, if the rumor mill is to be believed we could oFISHally be picking up Mike Trout!!  Did y'all love my fish pun?  #dork4life

This week is especially exciting for me because I'm going to visit Zach in NOLA on Thursday!  I'm beyond excited to be back in my 2nd favorite city.  This time my friends will be joining us for half of the trip.  Hello Haunted History tour, beignets, and Muriels!  Plus...I hear there's a Gumbo Festival happening!

Anyway...where have I been?  

First of all, it's the beginning of the school year and that is it's own brand of crazy. 

Second, Kate and Bill got married!  I'll post about that soon!

Third, I've been training for the Philly Half Marathon...YES I'm cleared to run again!  

Lastly, I've been a busy bee with just running around, teaching, visiting friends, tutoring, and working at the gym. 

I just wanted to stop in and say hi to all of you!  

Also here's a fun recipe to try this week!  It's easy, involves cheese, and takes under 10 minutes to make!  Winner winner grilled cheese dinner!

So Deb just got knee surgery and one of her favorite meals is grilled cheese and tomato soup.  I stepped up to the plate (metaphorically and literally) in a valiant, yet futile attempt to gain some FCP (Favorite Child Points) and decided to make this for her.  The trouble is that I'm not a grilled cheese fan because it's so greasy and full of pointless calorie bombs (hello butter I'm looking at you).  So I decided to attempt a healthier alternative.  

I'm a huge fan of cheese, though, and the highlight of my week is sampling the new cheeses at Wegman's Sample Saturday!  You can roll your eyes all you want, it's the little things my dears!  

So a few weeks ago, I was happily sampling away, and I tried the cheese on a piece of Fluter Bread.  It was a life changer let me tell you.  So the idea of a healthier grilled cheese was born.  My cheese lady, Vicki, put some truffle honey on top of the cheese and 

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So I decided to ask Vicki what kind of cheese would be good for my grilled cheese dream!  She suggested an organic creamy jack cheese.  She's a brilliant woman!

Here's the recipe if you wanna give it a whirl!

1.  4 slices of Wegman's organic flute bread

2. 2 oz of creamy organic jack cheese

3. a drizzle of Wegman's truffle honey

Step 1:  Turn oven broiler on high

Step 2:  Take four slices of bread and lay them on foil on the broiler.

Step 3:  Slice the cheese into .5 ounces and put atop the bread

Step 4:  Broil bread and cheese for 5 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

Step 5:  When done, top the grilled cheese with a drizzle of truffle honey

If you want bonus points... try it with this soup recipe!  I added 1 cup almond milk to the recipe for extra creaminess!

Twas delish!

Enjoy your Monday!  I'll be back with updates from the rest of my life soon!

-e