underwater cameras are like whoa

WHY I do not work a job where the appropriate and requisite attire is a swimsuit, I do not know. But while we think about that, here are some pictures from our VA Beach trip, taken with awesome underwater camera (Sony Cyber Shot) by Saena (of The Elegant Shoe) and B.Shin.

this is real life


and whoa,wait, mermaids?

love, ya'll. love.

Virginia Beach, that's whats up.

The Shins came down from NYC the last weekend of July and we piled into a car for a quick trip to Virginia Beach. It was glorious to catch up and finally be in the sun with friends I had been missing for a while. We wore ourselves out from the day of activities. But that's how we roll.

Also, it was sister-in-law, Amy's birthday! And we celebrated with friends and family in a boat, then on a tube. Stylin'.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I could pretty much spend my days going between ocean, boat, pool, sand, and a cold drink. Throw in a bowl of fruit and some seafood, and I'm set.

28 + 8 days

fluffy cupcake card? yup.

I was going to do a birthday post ON my birthday, but a girl gets busy yo and before you know it, she's 28 years and 8 days old! Just like that. But better late than never ever, right? So here's a quick what's up to the day and events that celebrated me being a year older and a year wiser.

The real life story is, I always love my birthday day. I like waking up and thinking, hey, it's different today! And it's special because it's a mile marker day. It marks progress, which is almost always good, but specifically, I like having a day to remember and be happy about the goods and the greats. I like the natural surge of gratitude I feel on my birthday...for life.

Birthday highlights:
1. Early morning prayer time with lovely ladies
2. Giant blueberries
3. Walking to cafe during my lunch break so I could Skype with sister in Russia.
4. Birthday love and shout outs from family and friends.
5. Hot and sweaty run with Rusty the dog after work
6. Hot and sexy husband giving me presents, hugs and kisses, and a giant fluffy cupcake card (see picture above).
7. Dinner with said hot and sexy husband to eat whole fried flounder with sweet red chili sauce. I just had a hankering. I love fish.
8. Presents through snail mail!

I then got to celebrate more birthday with dear friends from New York in Virginia beach this weekend, along with birthday of sister-in-law, but I shall save that for another post. Thank you all for your birthday wishes and love that you sent my way, a fist pump for another year!

said fish.
(From Pad Thai, in Mechanicsville)

and I've decided,

I really like celebrating my mile markers with this guy.

eats

What a busy week we've had! I will update later with details, but I wanted to do a quick post with pictures of food. Because really, what is better than pictures of food? Here's a compilation of some food pictures from the past few months


One of my most favorite things to eat: sushi, specifically, hurricane rolls at Momo's in Va Beach.


Fun for you palate: green eggs and ham at Black Sheep. The green is made up of green tomatoes, pesto and spinach.


Surf and turf for breakfast at Stronghill


More eggs and spinach at Stronghill


Richmond needs a Pita Pit


Fun salad: avocado, red onion, arugula and mangoes! topped with vidalia onion dressing


Grown up after-school snack: rainier cherries and chardonnay


Oh, cheese. @ cafe caturra


Birthday meal: whole flounder with sweet red chili sauce and vegetables.


Blueberries. Lots of blueberries.



<3


Chicken stir fry, by yours truly


I love a good omlet, and boy this omlet was good. Spinach, mushrooms and feta cheese omlet at Pocahantas Pancakes, Va Beach.


The soup wasn't good. But look at the pretty font and colors!


I am always up for a bloody mary bar. Especially if it involves fancy olives


Tuna bites at Chick's Oyster bar in Va Beach


Oysters at Chick's Bar to make up for the fact that we didn't make it over to Mahi Mah's happy hour.

my idea of a perfect party

I recently saw this post and these pictures on ONCE WED and did a lot of swooning...and drooling.
























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the best desktop wallpaper EVER.

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i am so happy this is the desktop calendar for my birthday month :)