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Jun 20 2012
Love0

Midsummer Magic

By holiday fun, life's a beach, ruling at life, virginia beach 3 Comments

If I could begin and end every summer day at the beach the way I did today, I would be eternally happy. I squeezed in a refreshing, early morning bike ride before work, and I toasted the summer solstice with a champagne picnic at the ocean’s edge at 7:09 p.m. — complete with shrimp cocktail, cheese and crackers, and the boyfriend. =)

On this first day of summer, I vow to make every attempt to spend as much time enjoying the sun, sand and surf as possible — riding my beach cruiser at dawn, strolling the boardwalk at lunch, catching those last few rays after work, and taking plenty of cool dips in the Atlantic.

Come September, there will be no, “Oh, I wish I had spent more time outside” or “Where did the summer go?” or “I should have found the time for more beach days.” Not this year.

The summer is mine to squander or fill with magic moments like today, and I choose the latter.

Jun 01 2012
Love0

Happy Hurricane Season!

By boat drinks, holiday fun, lists, weather 2 Comments

hurricane-cocktail

{via}

Every year on June 1st, I celebrate the beginning of hurricane season by drinking a hurricane. Some years, I’m more ambitious than others — I recall a sort of Hurricane bar crawl in 2008, and the overindulgence of Hurricanes all weekend in 2011 — but it’s been an annual tradition dating back at least five summers now. =)

Since today is the first day of the 2012 hurricane season, and especially because it’s a gorgeous Friday afternoon, I encourage you to take a few minutes to sit back and enjoy one of the greatest rum drinks of all time. And while you’re sipping on my favorite boat drink, here’s a little history to contemplate. The hurricane originated in New Orleans in the 1940s, when tavern owner Pat O’Brien needed to unload a bunch of less-than-stellar rum (that he was forced to purchase in order to get his hands on some more popular whiskey and Scotch). He mixed it up with some fruit juices and gave it away to sailors, and eventually the drink caught on, later becoming popular throughout the U.S. and a staple Mardi Gras drink.

You may be thinking, “Then what does a hurricane have to do with hurricane season anyway?” And I’ll tell you. The hurricane drink was named after the hurricane glass, and the hurricane glass was fashioned after the hurricane lamp. The hurricane lamp was meant to prevent a flame from puttering out during high winds and hurricanes. Thus, the hurricane drink certainly has something to do with hurricane season…right? =)

Anyway, here are just a few ways you can ring in the 2012 hurricane season today:

1. Meet me at Mahi Mah’s later for a hurricane.

2. Visit the National Hurricane Center website to see if your name is on this year’s list.

3. Plan a little trip to New Orleans and hit up Pat O’Brien’s, home of the original hurricane.

4. Absorb yourself in some hurricane-related entertainment. Perhaps a movie, book or song?

5. Concoct your own hurricane by mixing up 2 oz. light rum, 2 oz. dark rum, 3 oz. orange juice, 3 oz. pineapple juice and a dash of grenadine over ice. Garnish with an orange slice, a cherry and a little paper umbrella, and have a fabulous weekend! =)

May 29 2012
Love0

Scenes from the Long Weekend

By holiday fun, life's a beach, ruling at life 6 Comments

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It was three days full of beach time, sunshine, bike rides, dog walks, and get-togethers. I wish the entire East Coast could have enjoyed the weather we did for Memorial Day weekend. I started my “staycation” on Friday evening soaking up some sun on the beach, followed by a nice dinner date with the boyfriend. Saturday shaped up to be a leisurely morning of shopping, an afternoon on the beach, and a night out with John and Vince that ended up in a midnight walk on the beach and a barefoot bike ride home.

On Sunday, I crammed in as many activities as I could — a bike ride to breakfast, a mid-morning walk along Rudee Inlet, some quality time with Diesel, progress on my sunglasses organization project, and two birthday parties involving margaritas and lots of beer. =)

Monday was meant to be a day of doing nothing, but we ended up hosting an impromptu cookout for just a few friends, and it was the perfect way to close out an easygoing, beautiful weekend.

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{see the rest of this outfit here}

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May 25 2012
Love0

Words of Wisdom for a Long Weekend

By food, holiday fun, life's a beach, lists, ruling at life 4 Comments

Memorial Day weekend is upon us. I don’t know about you, but I plan on making the most of the next 72 hours…starting with the fact that I’m already lounging on the beach. =)

As far as I’m concerned, the next three days are a mini-vacation. No work, no stress…just fun, sun, and more fun.

That being said, here are just a few ways you can celebrate the start of summer this weekend.

1. Wear sunblock. And keep wearing it all summer long.

2. Don’t drink and drive. There are cops everywhere, and I hear getting arrested sucks.

3. Drink a piña colada. It’s summer, and you’re on vacation.

4. Relax. Spend at least a few hours reading, snoozing or sipping champagne outside, whether it’s on a porch, near a pool or at the beach.

5. Listen to some fun music. My soundtrack for the next three days is shaping up to be Reel Big Fish Radio on Pandora. Nothing like soaking up some sunshine to the tune of some upbeat ska.

6. Don’t show up to cookouts empty-handed. If you’re too lazy (or hungover) to cook, I’ve got the perfect recipe for you. Spread one package of cream cheese over the bottom of a medium-sized microwaveable casserole dish. Top that with one can of Hormel chili (no beans), and top that with one package of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Voila! Taco dip! Pop it in the microwave for seven minutes when you get where you’re going. Serve it up with some tortilla chips and beer, and you’re golden.

7. Take at least a few minutes to remember what Memorial Day is all about.

8. Cram in as many other fun activities as possible. You only ring in summer once a year. =)

And that’s about it. Enjoy your weekend!

P.S. I posted this from my iPhone, so please pardon any typos or formatting issues. First attempt. =)

Dec 31 2011
Love0

Year End

By books, holiday fun, weather 2 Comments

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{NYE 2010}

December 31, and it feels like springtime outside. I spent the morning sleeping in, taking a long, relaxing shower, and cleaning up my room. My plans to close out the year today include joining J and Diesel on a long walk, posting my final resolution update of 2011, and listening to Radio Margaritaville while I read Treasure Island on my Kindle outside. Then I’m going to throw on a sequin blazer and some ridiculous heels, and head over to Tina’s with a cake, my boyfriend, and two bottles of Prosecco to ring in 2012.

Like I always say, the even years are better. Looking forward to a fresh start. =)

Happy New Year!

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