Birthday Booze Cruise

This past weekend was a lovely little reunion with my college gals :) We celebrated Catie's 24th birthday by purchasing booze cruise tickets for a little trip up & down the Chicago River. It was a chilly evening, but super fun! We had a great view of Navy Pier, and ended the evening with fireworks, before heading out to a Chicago bar to karaoke the night away!

Some pictures from our reunion & birthday celebration weekend:

{Jeni's vending machine is the only compensation I want for a delayed flight}

{stolen from Sam's instagram}

{a gorgeous chicago sunset}

{stolen from Alyssa's instragram}

{beautiful chi-town skyline}

{stolen from Catie's instagram}

{stolen from Margaret's instagram}

I love that my friends make such a point to try to get together each year on separate occasions for everyone's birthday. I know it means a lot to me, and I wish I could see them twice as much!

I have to add a note to myself (& anyone willing to listen) don't fly American Eagle. So many absurd delays and there was zero communication about it! I had to reference the departures board for 3 different delays and 2 gate changes... with both my flight there and back!! Sheesh.

The Great Bday

This past weekend, a co-worker had a Great Gatsby themed birthday party. Have I mentioned that I LOVE themed parties!? Oh yeah; I do. It was so much fun! So well decorated too. Yep, that's Catie in the blonde wig, she visited for the occasion!

Oh, and surprise, surprise! I got a new tattoo on Saturday :) A lotus flower. Symbolizing compassion, beauty, purity, and wisdom. And, I just really love lotus flowers!

Ever wonder where my blog banner came from? My first tattoo! I got it a year after studying abroad in Italy (so 2 years ago now). "Il mio viaggio" is Italian for my journey. It reminds me to be selfish occasionally and do some things for myself, to travel, to take-in the world (as much as I can), and define myself in this crazy life!

Birthday Celebrations

Last Thursday was my twenty-fourth birthday; Almost a quarter of a century old. ALMOST people, that means one bore year ((yikes)); I celebrated it all weekend long! Starting with thursday evening, my roommate surprised with wine, dinner, and a game night with friends! Simple but perfect, considering I love most games ((i.e. catch-phrase))!! So much fun!

Then friday, we planned a Brazilian birthday party with dips and cairpirinhas ((the national drink))! So many of my co-workers showed up and I was surprised by so many different friends, not from Columbus! Two of my college roommates made the truck down from Cleveland, a friend from Dayton came up and showed up a few minutes after my roommates. Then my two best friends from high school showed up!! Also- two of my guy friends surprised us all with an amazing piñata filled with little tequilas, candy, and mustaches!!! Ohhhh how I love surprises :) I genuinely had no idea that any of them were coming! I used to think I was not easily surprised, nor caught of guard; but props to Erin for successfully doing both from thursday through saturday!! 

And I can't forget to mention my Dayton visit! My brother is a junior at UD and I visited him for part of my birthday weekend! He and his girlfriend made me a delicious cake that was devoured within minutes! I always have so much fun visiting.

{desk @ work – thanks Melyssa!}

{flowers, favorite snack, and a stash? ha}

{college roomies}

{dayton friends}

{co-workers}

{yuppp. note the faces}

{high school friends}

{dayton love} 

{brotherrrr}

Thanks to all who really made this birthday super memorable and absolutely amazing! I love my friends dearly and cherish the importance of having good ones in life :)

Ps. Erin: you rock at surprises ((I don't... ha))

Happy 20th Birthday Michael!

Today is my lovely little brother's 20th birthday! I can still remember the little chunk-foot of a brother that came into my life when I was 3, obviously selfish, I was surprised that he suddenly got all the attention! Sheesh... new siblings! None the less, I figured out how to turn having a little brother into a lot of fun! This one of the thousands of times I dressed him up and made him "pretty"

 {sorry Michael.... I had to}

Although I can't be there to celebrate today, Michael was kind enough to stop by my apartment this past Friday and I cooked some BBQ chicken, broccoli, and rice for him. (someone has a really awesome sister.....) We sat on my patio, with my new outdoor table, and chatted and listened to music. So happy happy birthday brother Michael! Hope you have a memorable 20th, because 21 is going to be a lot more fun :)

   

A wonderful B-day

My birthday was this past Tuesday and I turned to 23 :) 

So many people made it so special... I really, REALLY appreciate my friends and family!!

Co-workers decorated my desk and the whole VS Creative Marketing Team sent me flowers (that are now on my desk, making me smile all day long). Friends came out for margaritas and fun after work. My roommate, Erin, surprised me with a blender and we finally got to try the infamous Margi-daiquiri-screw-alotta-on-the-beach!!!! Ha. Yes I am the type to get super excited for standard kitchen appliances! My mom sent me wonderful little gifts and I got good wishes and pretty cards from family members!!

Thanks to everyone who made 23 feel extra special! Xo

flowers

VS angel-style birthdayyy

And now that it is Friday... my birthday celebrations continue... YAY! All 5 of my college roommates are coming to town to celebrate :) We will also celebrate Sarah's 23rd birthday on the 13th! So many fun adventures lie ahead of me for the weekend.. and it's almost time to leave work! 


Ps. It's 11.11.11 — supposed to be a lucky day... make a wish!
Happy Friday All!!!

November

I love fall and especially November for various reasons...

1. It's my birthday on the 8th :)

2. The leaves change more in Nov. than October (I think)

2. Thanksgiving (yummy food!!!) & family fun

3. People start decorating for Christmas

4. Christmas is only a month away

I made this little background to keep some of the lovely fall colors indoors

Today I'm excited for my trip to California this weekend to visit my lovely cousins! Last time I went to visit Meghan for her birthday in January and this time I am treating myself to visit Kc in Sonoma (where she goes to school) for my birthdayy!!! Super excited!! :)

Oh yeah... and I REALLY WANT THESE FOR BIRTHDAY 

(but they're out of my price range) — how cute are they!?

Found here

Happy Birthday

Dollar store decorations, and some creativity make for a perfect foundation
to enjoy a fancy birthday bash at home! 

Birthday Girl, my lovely cousin Meghan

Meg & I

I visited my cousin in January for my Christmas break, senior year. It was an amazing time and I am in love with California, my heart knows that I will one day live out near the beaches of San Diego with some of the most colorful sunsets I have ever witnessed! Thank you Meg, for a wonderful visit! I'm glad we could celebrate your 23rd together! Much love Xo