Man Time

Over the weekend, I attended SnowGRADE. SnowGRADE came from the creators of NorthernGRADE (the initial event last September) and provided attendees an opportunity to shop and watch demonstration/workshops focusing entirely around the modern/hip man. Thouh for men, the event was highly entertaining for me! Vendors came to showcase their USA-made goods and it was very fun to act as though I was interested in buying that $300 leather satchel. Also, they provided enough liquor and beer for people to think that the $300 satchel was a steal of a price.

The event reminded me a lot of the women's expos that I have gone to with Mama Gautsch…. But 100 times cooler! The whole venue swarmed with hip men,cool goods, and great spirits. Below are some pictures from the event… with some random pictures from the weekend strewn in (chicken and waffles from Bulldog NE and spicy bloodies from Green Mill).

Birthday Season!

I love this time of year. The days seem to be getting longer and there are glimpses of spring on the way. Also, my birthday is one week away! Tonight officially kicked off my birthday week with a dinner out with Kim and Liz!  These two have been a huge part of my life and I love them! Thank you for helping me kick of the celebrating!

Also, I made a cake for myself.  Why not,  right? ;) it is actually to be shared with my brother... but I think we all know that it looks more like a Cara-cake than a Phil-cake!

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHIL! I love you lots!

Experiences

About a year ago, I rejoined the wonderful world of online dating. Joining a free dating site was definitely interesting, to say the least. The first message I ever received was from a French man that called me "beautiful, ravishing and revolting." Not a very good pick up line in my book.

First dates came and went without a second date ever being discussed. Failed attempts at dating taught me a lot about myself but left me feeling a little hopeless regarding the quality of men that were left in the dating pool. I met some great guys, but those great guys weren't interested in me, or there wasn’t a spark. I met some crazy men that told me stories of them stealing from churches or lied about their alcohol addictions that had them living in a half-way house.

Then, somewhere as the profile searching fizzled out I was introduced to someone that I now call my boyfriend. We met through mutual friends and he is the coolest man I have EVER met. He is genuine and charming. He is sarcastic and witty. He is handsome and strong. He makes me HAPPY.

I think the saying is true that you need to meet a lot of frogs to find your Prince. I needed to meet different men,experience heartbreak and learn about myself in order to be able to open my life up to someone.

Side note: I met Ted's family Sunday and I walked in like a deer in headlights. I have never "met the parents" before. It went great! I love knowing where Ted came from and why he is the way he is today.

He is meeting my family this weekend... wish him luck ;)

My Valentine

My Valentine's day was more than I could have asked for. I received a special flower delivery at work which made my day.
In the evening, before taking me to Red Stag Supper Club, Ted came over with hand dipped white chocolate strawberries, a new shiny chain for my "c" charm and the sweetest card ever. Dinner with him was simply amazing :) I even got to rock my pink sequined jacket (which I got compliments on right away!).
thank you Ted for being the best Valentine ever!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

... or singles awareness day, or Hallmark holiday, or whatever else you want to call today. I have always been single on this holiday and have "celebrated" it with friends in some way or another. This year, I have a Valentine and I couldn't be happier!

No matter how you celebrate,  make sure that today isn't the only day you tell people that you care about them.

Xoxo

Loving

Flowers just because...

YUM...

I need to try one of these...

Also...

I needed to post some pictures from Aggressive Statement Night. Notice the man that successfully photobombed the picture. Also, notice that Herkimer has a counter for mini burgers sold! LOL.

And please take time to read some of these little stories (thanks Kathy for making me tear up this Monday! )

http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/02/05/99-tiny-stories/

Weekend Recap

The weekend flew by! Friday was Aggressive Statement Night where Megan, Alyssa, Christina and I got together for dinner, gossip, fashion and bs'ing with people out on the town... at The Otter. Gotta love drunks singing karaoke.

Saturday, Ted and I went to the Como Zoo and Conservatory and then bummed around Uptown for the rest of the afternoon ... drinking bloodies and visiting shops. Oh! And did anyone see how amazing the frost looked covering all the trees on Saturday morning?

Sunday, we treked to Kim and Brandon's place in Rogers to watch the Super Bowl.  Liz and Matt also made it! We all had a great time hanging out. But really... who came up with the brilliant idea to have the Super Bowl on a Sunday?  After a bottle of wine, an Irish car bomb and too much food... my Monday morning wake up call came VERY early!