It Feels Like Christmas Morning...

This week is my LAST week of freedom.  My adult, I'm actually a grown-up attorney job starts next week! Eek. I've been trying to make the most of this week by relaxing and enjoying myself as much as possible. What have I done?

• Monday I went shopping.  Dillard's is having a huge sale, so I picked up a few new swimsuits. 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this Betsey Johnson suit. The underwire really helps define for us girls who aren't so well endowed.   

 I couldn't pass this top up for $13. But,why is it that there are never matching tops and bottoms on the sale racks? Where do they go? Luckily, I have both solid green and black bottoms that I could pair with it. 

• Tuesday we went out to eat at The Tulip.  I hadn't been there since it moved from Midway, but it was just as delicious as I remember it there.  Of course, we went to Orange Leaf for desert. Story of my life. 

• Wednesday I slept in until 9:30, just because I can. I also caught up on all my back episodes of True Blood.  I love that show more than I should admit...

• Today is my post-surgery check up. Fingers crossed that all is well! But, the bigger news is that its FINALLY HERE. UK FOOTBALL's season kicks off today (pun intended--I'm cheesy). In Jess's spirit, here's what I'm loving this football season from pinterest:

Just to make you smile:

My oh my, where has this week gone? I just hope working weeks fly by as quickly!

Shopping Weekend

Cam and I decided to go to outlet shopping on Saturday to take advantage of the Memorial Day sales and I picked up quite a few gifts for upcoming weddings/showers.  For those who haven't been, the outlets north of Atlanta in Dawsonville are amazing: they have Restoration Hardware, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Kate Spade, Saks, Burberry, etc.  We also went to Lenox Mall and found some awesome deals at Bloomingdale's.  I knocked a few things on my dream list for myself, including: 

Burberry Trench

Tori Burch Flats

Restoration Hardware Vintage Wash Egyptian Sheets

Kate Spade Hot Pink Shoes

We tried to pick up patio furniture and a chair from Restoration Hardware, but apparently their last set of both sold right as we were in line to check out--how frustrating! Clearly, it wasn't meant to be. 

My mom and stepdad came in town Monday to help us finish packing up the nonessential items and Cam's mom came over today to help me pack up the framed art.  Luckily, we've gotten the house pretty much packed and ready for our move in 3 weeks.  I've been stressed about getting it done because Barbri (the course to prepare me for the bar exam) begins Thursday and is six days a week.  I'm just ready for it to be August so the bar and the move will be over!

A New Woman

Ethics portion of the bar: COMPLETE. hopefully. Fingers crossed I didn't fail and have to retake it in March. I will say, it was not an easy test. Now a five-week waiting process. 

The rest of my Friday and Saturday have also been eventful. On Friday, I got a call that I had been selected for a medical study on seasonal allergies. After Claritin became ineffective last year, I was more than willing to participate in this study. 

 

I went into the test facility, where drew blood and they irritated my skin with different allergens. After five minutes, I developed rashing/welt combination and they had to wash off all the allergens because I was so allergic to ragweed. Beautiful. Pending my blood results, I clearly passed the test.

It was slightly distracting today during the test because I still have extremely itchy rash on my arm. I have never done any medical studies, but it seems like a fine way to make some extra money and get treated for my awful allergies, as long as they don't turn me purple. 

Cam and I also got our hair cut (and mine colored).  We look and feel like a new couple! Cam got his hair cut shorter, like it was at our wedding.  I went blonder for the spring.  I'll post pictures once we take some. 

Also, Mom and I went shopping at Sephora and ended up with quite the loot, especially of Laura Mercier:

Our purchase includes some good finds: Laura Mercier foundation powder, Dior DiorShow Mascara, Sephora Flashy Eyeliner, Sephora Pure Nautral Believer Eyeshadow Palette, Sephora Age Prevention Moisturizer, and the Sephora Yellow Poppy Bag.  I am so excited to finally have some make up--I am running low on almost everything right now. My mom is the absolute best :) 

What are your favorite make up staples? I am excited to try my new stuff, but I don't think I could live without Benefit Benetint. It is an absolute must have for me.  

Sorting Out Who I Am and a Hair Find

So, I went out and braved the snow today to begin my big goal of Christmas break--to finally sort out everything with the social security office to be able to finally change my name. I had initially changed it and dropped my first name through SS but apparently KY wouldn't issue me a driver's license because I had changed my first name. Ugh. So, I finally made it back down to the social security office to fix it. A warning if you have never been--bring a book to have something to do during that wait.

I ended up leaving my first name, making Lauren and maiden name both middle names and adding Cam's last name, leaving me with a total of four names. Take that driver's license people. And, I finally went and closed out my old checking account. Two steps in the process are at least done.

On my way home I stopped by Bed Bath and Beyond and picked up a new blowdryer. I have pretty fine hair, but I have TONS of it--it is super thick and takes me forever to blow it dry.

Cam's mom had a BaByliss Pro blowdryer down in FL and it literally took me half the time to blow my hair dry. It is a great ceramic blowdryer for under $100--especially when you can use their 20% off coupon.

AND, I want to wish Ms. Kristin a very happy birthday! Can't wait to have a joint celebration with her tomorrow!

Florida Finds

So, its really freakin' cold. I thought it was chilly at 41 degrees in FL, but its 15 in Kentucky. It was miserable driving back yesterday knowing it would be so frigid. BUT, i do love snow and it is scenic outside.

Cam and I had a great day at home today--he got to work from home. Even though he was on the computer all day, it was nice to have company. I spent the morning disputing charges on our AT&T account, fabulous, right? But at least they are removed now.

So the shopping in FL is FANTASTIC--I look forward to going down there every year. I thought I'd share some finds from down there. I picked up some staples as well, but these are my more favorite pieces:

White House Black Market's Snow Leopard Heels. Super fun.

Polka dot 3/4 sleeve cardigan.

A fun lil' jacket with frill.

Detail of the jacket.

I also found this bedding on major clearance. We LOVE Hotel Collection bedding, so I just couldn't pass this up.

Hotel Collection's Ciaro in mercury.

I paired it with deep red sheets. Right now our guest room walls are white. I am torn about painting them--we don't want to stay here forever so I would hate to have to repaint it, but I am thinking I may just go for it next summer. I would love to do the room in Restoration Hardware's Slate color (the gray color on the walls at the store):


And, I am on the hunt for a large silver teapot. I am so lucky--my husband is handy and can make lamps out of almost anything. I saw this lamp idea and fell in love to pair on a side table with the bedding.

Friday Shopping

Mom and Terry came in town for the day. We met Cam at Baker's 360 for lunch and enjoyed the view of Lexington. Then, mom and I went shopping and got some amazing deals. I got these Ralph Lauren tops:

and on the model:

This Banana Republic Dress:

Okay, so its not cute on the hanger. But the fit is amazing--here it is on the model in silver:

And this red wrap:

Thanks mom!