Momma's Borrowed Gems

So this week has been pretty busy and I've left little Three Bracelets hanging in the back corner. Sorry little one.

A heat wave has come through Maryland and oddly enough I couldn't be happier. Usually I'm whining for 78- 82 degree days, but recently the 90+ temps + humidity (okay maybe not the humidity) has put a big ol' smile on my face. 

Since my mom was just in town, and her packed closet came with her, I went digging and borrowed some Momma Gems! Yup, my mom has better style than I'll ever have. She sports the highest of heels all day long and never leaves the house without a spritz of hairspray. I want to be just like her. Since I really don't have anything exciting to write home about, I'm gonna post my stolen borrowed gems. FYI - I'm not a fashion blogger, don't ever want to be or intend to be, and therefore I purposely tried to look up real hard. Homegirls, why are you always looking down when showing off your threads? Also, I don't own a fancy camera, don't want one, so bare with the photos all you professionals.

Safety first. Striped tank second. Love it!

This white tank/blouse/shirt thingy is soooo comfy and perfect for sweaty pits.

Speaking of sweaty pits...here they are. I've switched my feminine deodorant days to the men's section.
It lasts 48 hours ladies ...  48 hours!!! Also, smells so much better than a pile of roses. 

These are my feet. Not borrowed from my mom. But sorta since she birthed me.

My mom picked out these pants. I never had balls big enough to want/wear white pants. Momma talked me into it!

So there they are! Does your momma have better clothes/outfit choices than you? 

Friday Fav - Summer in the City

Happy Friday!!! It seems like it's been forever and a day since I posted one of these bad boys, but with my mom in town last week there was no chance I was going to step near a computer.

This past week has been full of all sorts of stories:
1) The humidity has officially landed in Baltimore - Homegirl is not happy.
2) I saw a dead turtle on the side of the road :( First, I didn't know turtles lived in Maryland (just found out the mascot of University of Maryland through this). Second, who the eff ran him/her over...ugh.
3) I landed a part-time gig and I couldn't be more excited (hopefully this means I'll have more pesos in my pocket to save).
4) Mike has been gone alllllllllll week. I've harassed him allllllllllll week long with pointless texts just cause I'm missing him and not sure how we/I managed long-distance.
5) I'm not so sure about this season's Bachelorette. So I love Emily. Annoyed by Ricki. Not impressed by this season's pick of guys. Chris isn't funny and his role on the Muppet episode was painful. Want to barf looking at Kalon's glossy lips. Need ABC to get out of Charlotte and whisk away to the Caribbean.

With a busy week behind me and the holiday weekend ahead, what is today's Friday Fav all about? Summer in the City! Yup, Memorial Day weekend is my kick-off for summer, and I couldn't be happier! Not only is it going to be blazing hot all weekend, but I've finally got myself a grill (well a George Foreman grill), my mom gifted me the most beautiful new bike, I won't look as foolish anymore sporting neon pink nails, I allow myself to eat ice cream whenever my heart desires, my hair dries 5 minutes post-shower meaning I can tuck the blow-dryer under the cabinet, and lucky for me I live 15 minutes from the harbor and 3 hours from the beach!

Summer meet your new best friend ... Me!

Australia, '06 - Pre-Surf Lesson

Time with my Bestie

Happy Monday Tuesday (almost Wednesday, yikes), all!

(Looks like I took a little longer than when I started writing this post. Sorry)

I'm officially back from my mini-vacay with my best friend, aka my Mum! I dropped her off Sunday morning for her flight back home, and after pulling away from the airport I experienced my first panic attack (not really because I know how serious these can be), but my heart truly shook with sadness. It had been 6 months since I last saw her, and so to have only the few days I had with her fly by ... well my heart was pretty sad. I'm feeling much better knowing that I'll be seeing her in July along with the rest of my family, but that homesickness bug has crept back up on me and I've gotta shake it.

During my mom's visit, we had such a good time together and did the typical lets catch up over shopping, eating, wine drinking, and slumber partying. Here are some of my favorite pictures from her visit:

Walking the Preakness 5K (we got to walk where the horsies race!)

Right before enjoying her first batch of B-more crabs!

Showing her some of McMansion homes out here.

Meeting (future) Nugget's Uncle Riley!

Last night in town, enjoying some dinner and wine!

 Until July, Mom I'm missing you and can't wait for our next adventure together!

Bring it on Bachelorette

I often find myself to be the only one at my work's lunch time conversations whose obsessed with The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. I often find when I'm waiting in line at the grocery store I'm hoping the next US Weekly will somehow continue to highlight or air the latest juice on the past rosebud couples. And today, I've realized this (whatever this is called) hasn't gone away. Because tonight Emily Maynard will be bringing a whole new spin to the show with daughter, Ricki, and her slowed down Southern style.

Let's just say I'm glad the Cringe of Courtney is over and a new season is underway!

Bring it on Bachelorette! 

P.S. Does a support group exist on here for this?

Friday Fav - Mother's Day

Happy Friday!!! I'm having the best time with my mum and can't wait to enjoy the weekend with her not only having some time away from work to just enjoy our time together, but I'm also looking forward to Mother's Day. Today's Friday Fav is dedicated to everything I've learned and loved about my mom!

I usually try to keep things on the ol' blog low key during the weekends ... actually I'm just being upfront and letting you know I'll be soaking up the sun and avoiding my computer this weekend, so I'm skipping ahead and writing my Mother's Day post today.

Being that my mum is in town and we get to celebrate Mother's Day together, I wrote this little ditty to the volunteers earlier today who are the backbone of my job. It's dedicated to my mum and all the mothers out there!

Since Mother's Day is around the corner, I have a little something to say. Being biased, I have the best mother a girl/daughter could ask for and I feel beyond fortunate that my mom is not only one of my best teachers and fans, but she is my best friend. Since my start date at my job, I've looked at Mother's Day through a different lens and realized what this day has become to me - Mother's Day is not only a day, which in my mind should stretch out for an entire year, to celebrate all of our wonderful mothers, grandmothers, and if we're lucky great-grandmothers, but now a day full of celebration and utmost admiration for the amazing women who have carved out our paths and supported us every step of the way. Being on the end of the phone line where I often hear, "I want to get involved in honor of my mom," my heart breaks.

The feeling and thought that sinks in my heart imagining a world without my mom is more than terrifying. The lessons she has taught me, the spark of energy she sends my way, and of course the never ending love she has provided me has been the best gift ever!

This weekend, I want to say Happy Mother's Day to all of you who are mothers, grandmothers, and possibly great-grandmothers! This weekend, I also want to say Happy Mother's Day to those we have lost. When I think about my great-grandmothers, I think about everything these women did and gave up to raise my grandmothers, which leads me to think about everything they did and gave up for my parents, which of course makes me realize (once again) just how amazing Mothers are!

This weekend, I hope you are all able to spend some time with your moms, and if not, definitely do something that would make them smile and be proud!

Four generations bundled in one picture!

 Have a fabulous weekend!

T-minus 3 hours...

My heart is about to burst out of my chest. My smile can't get any bigger. My mind can't stop thinking about today at 2:08. Whose coming to town?

My Mom!!! I haven't seen her since Thanksgiving, and let me tell you all it's felt like a lifetime. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful mom, but most of all beyond fortunate to have her as my best friend. As you can see she is a petite little one, and nothing makes me happier than seeing her at an airport and just wanting to run to pick her up and give her the biggest hug (I'm sure she loves these moments just as much as I do).

What it comes down to is I might be a little absent on here over the next week because I've got chats to catch up on, places to see, and most of all enjoying every minute I get with her!

On a Rainy Day Like Today...

I'm over the rain. I would really like summer to set in ... now. On a day like today and wishing I was tucked under the covers, all I can think about is the sun and a little adventure Mike and I had a few weeks ago. We went to Ocean City, MD, for work, but for about 2 hours we were able to sneak in some us time and here's what happened:

And rain, this why you can go away ... please.

Friday Fav - C'mon Blogger

Happy Friday!!! I just wrote a very heartfelt and LONG post about my amazing amigas. Then Google decided not to save my work after I hit "save" more than 20 times. So right now I'm holding my fist at Blogger asking "Why? Why would you do that after all the work I just put into my post? It's Friday and that's what you come up with?"

Anywho, I learned a new lesson through it all, scratched the original post, and came up with this:

Sometimes you're thrown a curve ball or a winding road. Whatever it is and whatever happens, take a minute to breathe and look up. It can only get better.

                                                                                  Source: piccsy.com via Brittanie on Pinterest

Blogger, you may have deleted one of my favorite posts dedicated to my besties, but it won't stop me from writing it again (just maybe while drinking a bottle of wine to ease the frustration). 

Sip some sangria and have a wonderful weekend!

Ben, Jerry and Bloom

Dear Readers,

I'm giving my first sales pitch.  Hold on tight, you're about to get sucked into something really great...

Although it's 80 degrees outside, the sun hasn't said goodnight (yet), and I still have a few hours left in the day before I tuck myself in, I've been keeping myself busy reading this:

And enjoying lots of this:

I am obsessed with Kelle Hampton's blog, Enjoying the Small Things, and ever since hearing word of her release date of Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected, I wanted to be the first to read it. If you haven't read Kelle's blog, you're really missing out. Not only is she a beautiful woman and amazing mother, she makes you laugh and somehow makes you feel like a long-lost friend.  (Originally I got this book to give to my mom, which I still plan on doing, but I somehow couldn't keep my own hands and eyes off it.) So here I am reading each word like it's the last and holding onto everything she says with admiration. Kelle is an amazing writer, and if I could listen to a story all day or attend a party, I'd want her to be the reader and host!

While wrapping up this amazing memoir, I've dipped into the newest creation from Ben & Jerry's - Blueberry Vanilla Graham frozen yogurt! (I can see this becoming one of my favorites.) Tonight has been perfect and I'd highly recommend both Bloom and Ben & Jerry's for all!


One satisfied heart and tummy,
Brittanie