Hunger Games..

...has consumed me. Have you read it? I've spent the better part of the last two weeks with my nose in the book, quickly reading about the adventures of Katniss, Peeta and Gale in Panem. This isn't typically a genre I would read, but after several recommendations from friends, colleagues and cheerleaders, I was eager to read it. I loved it. Totally a fan, and can't wait to see the movies.

By the way, if you've read it, I am Team Peeta!

Diaper Cake, Anyone?

Confession: Until about a year ago, I had no idea what a diaper cake was. I just wasn't in the diaper cake/baby shower stage of my life. But now, I'm getting there. I'm starting to attend more baby showers than wedding showers! Which brings me to my point...my friend Kim makes the cutest diaper cakes. I mean, seriously! I don't think she even understands how cute they are because she underestimates her creativity.

See?

She's helping me make one for a sip and see in a couple of weeks. I'm excited to learn to make it!

Here's to being crafty!
B

10 Reasons I Have Not Blogged

1. My 27th birthday was last week, which made me a busy girl spending time with my wonderful family and friends.
2. We hosted some our favorite couple friends in town a few weekends ago! My sweet friend Sara is newly preggers, so we had fun shopping and talking baby!
3. We went to Baton Rouge one weekend in May to cheer on the Tigers at the new Alex Box Stadium, and visit with the in-laws. We had a great time with the family. It was fun being there on a non-holiday or football game weekend!
4. I've been uber-busy at work with fun new projects: graduation, decorating our new showcase and ordering new signage for next school year. Love my job!
5. I got an iPad from Jeremy and I'm obsessed with it! I carry it everywhere, and I especially love the Kate Spade cover my girls got me for my birthday! Thanks Linds, Kim and JS!
6. House projects! I'm loving working in the yard and continuing to decorate the house. Next project: redo our master bathroom!
7. Family time! We are heading to Shreveport this weekend to see my brother and sis-in-law and their new precious baby, Elizabeth! I can't wait to meet my new niece!
8. Season finales of my shows! Most underwhelming award goes to: Grey's Anatomy and Best Finale: glee (how about the Wicked scene...made me think of you, JOY!)
9. I saw Something Borrowed - really liked it! Read the book twice and loved it both times. Pick up an Emily Giffin book if you haven't read anything from her. She's great!
10. Did I mention the iPad?

Here's to a great 27!
B

What I've Been Reading

I've read some interesting books recently on my Kindle - which I'm obsessed with, BTW. Generally I stay in the chick-lit genre of books, but in April I expanded my library to include other types of fiction novels. No regrets, here. These are the books I read:

Room by Emma DonoghueIf Oprah were to read this book, she would book the mom and her son on the show immediately. But, since it's not based on a true story, that would just be a hypothetical scenario. This story is told from the perspective of Jack, a 5-year-old boy living in a single room his entire life. To his Ma, its a prison cell, but to Jack, it's all he's ever known. Very compelling and heart breaking story as you discover why they live in Room. It's our book club book for May, so I can't wait to discuss it next week.

This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

A laugh out loud funny book, that is as equally moving as it is awkward. When Judd's father passes away, his dying request was that his family (including mom and three siblings - and their families) sit shiva after his death. Putting the family together under one roof again brings out the good, bad, and unexpected in all of them. I loved it! Great up and coming author!

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

In another attempt to get on the Jodi Picoult bandwagon, I read this novel about a school shooting, told from the perspective of the many characters involved in the massacre. I did like the book, actually, it was an insightful look into the ramifications of bullying, in what I would call an extreme case. She really likes to put her characters through the ringer. For example, one couple never got to see their children graduate high school - both of their boys were taken away from them too soon (a little tragic, no?). Anyway, liked the book until the TERRIBLE ending. No more Picoult for me.

Happy Reading!
B

Our Italian Vacation!

J and I just took a dream vacation to Italy. We started in Rome, then went to Florence, and our last stop was Venice. It was absolutely amazing - beautiful weather, museums, churches, and fabulous food (we especially loved the pizza)! We had a great time. It's so nice to get away together and just be together, uninterrupted and not distracted. We don't get enough time like that! Anyway...here are a few photos from our trip! Enjoy!

The Vatican - see the top right hand corner of the building - that's where the pope comes out and waves to his people weekly. Not when we were there, though...


On our 3 hour tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum - so fascinating to think about how long these buildings have been around!

Here we are in Florence, enjoying happy hour (at 3 in the afternoon, no less)

After a delicious dinner in Florence

We loved eating pizza for lunch EVERY SINGLE DAY!


Sunset at Michelangelo's Piazza with my hubby :)


Our swanky hotel room in Venice - we had to climb 75 steps to get to it! Holy moly!


The Rialta Bridge - the most famous bridge in Venice! Venice was amazing - its just a big labyrinth. No cars, you can only get around by boat. It's incredible.

St. Mark's Square - where all the action happens at day and night. It was fun hanging around here at night when orchestras were playing and people were just calmly wandering around. So peaceful!


I know....how cute are we, kissing in our Gondola?

Ciao...

That's right, blogging friends, we are heading off to Italy in less than 24 hours. It's a dream vacay for J and I and we are really excited. We'll spend the first few days in Rome, then a few days in Florence and then end the trip in Venice.

Can't wait to share pictures when we get back!

And I can't wait to use the phrase "when in Rome..." excessively over the next several days. Sorry, J.

Ciao -
Brittney

Spring Break 2K11

I spent my Spring Break in Scottsdale, Arizona, with two of my best friends - Hannah and Leah. We work together at SBS - Hannah is the technology whiz of the school, and Leah teaches 2nd grade and coaches cheerleading with me.

Why Scottsdale, you ask? Because we wanted somewhere hot, and not packed with crazy, college Spring Break-ers! It turned out to be the perfect destination!

We spent the week laying out, getting massages, eating at fabulous restaurants, shopping, reading, watching the Bachelor finale (yay, Emily!) and doing some drinking! It was so much fun and we met some really nice people there - including some minor league baseball players!

Here are a few fun & crazy pics from the week!

Great trip with two of my absolute favorite people!

Brittney