Sharmrock Spring

 

 St. Patrick's Day weekend in March is always one of my favorite weekends of the year. It's like that mid-holiday between Christmas time and Memorial Day/July 4. It signifies that Spring is here and that it's time to get out in the sun and play. Minus the pollen's toll on my allergies, I am really enjoying the Spring here in Atlanta. Gosh, January and February (my two least favorite months of the year) just flew by! I can't believe April is right around the corner.

For those of you who don't follow me on Twitter, I have been busy getting ready for my move. I am moving into a new place this week and have been a packing machine in my little bit of downtime. It's such second-nature to me, since I have done this so many times. However, I am growing weary of it as well. I hope to stay put for a good 2 years in this place, unless life changes occur that would force me to move. Of course, still staying in Atlanta, but am moving further closer to Midtown. I really am growing to love this city. 

Have a great week!

 Me and Anna Claire! Funny story behind this run-in!

 My friend ran the GA Publix Marathon and I cheered him on at mile 24. It really motivated me to start entering some 10ks and eventually a half. A full marathon seems a bit distant as of today.

Weekend

I had a great weekend! It was busy & fun-filled and I barely had time to stop I was doing so many fun things! Friday night, I had the privilege to meet a fellow Atlantan who is from Virginia. We had so much in common and turns out, we are going to be neighbors here shortly. She lives in the condo complex beside mine! She may kill me for posting our pic, but she'll forgive me. We had a great time and I am excited that God is placing some really great girls in my life.

 Hair pic -- I've really mastered curling it with the flat iron!

Since moving to Atlanta, I don't remember the last chain restaurant (other than Chick-fil-A of course) that I have been to in the last year! I've always been a huge supporter of local business and the restaurant life in Atlanta is just too good to be true. Amazing food everywhere you turn! A friend and I went to brunch today at Murphy's. Um.... to DIE for. Literally my new favorite up-scale brunch spot. He promised it'd be amazing, and he was right.

Random, but Sunday night I went to the Zoo!

Photo Randoms

I think I may use Fridays to post any random photos from the week like OOTD, week activities, etc.... just a thought!

 Love these cobalt blue pants from Madewell. But paired with an Orange sweater, I looked way too Gator!

 Seriously love our offices. 

 My office is located to the right. 

If you haven't tried the Vanilla White Mocha Light from Caribou Coffee, you are missing out!

LARABAR - Cappuccino

A BIG thank you to LARABAR for sending me samples of their new flavor: Cappuccino! It tastes delicious and has actual coffee grounds IN the bar! The reason I love LARABAR so much is because of how clean and natural their bars are. A bar will typically have about 6 ingredients, some fewer. Dates, Nuts, Dried Fruits, Chocolate Chips (in some) & Sea Salt comprise the majority of these bars.  Just very healthy and wholesome snacks on the go! What are your favorite flavors? My favorite is Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. 

Ashlyn in India

My sister, Ashlyn, is in India for a few weeks. I am just going to take a little time here to brag on her. She is 20 years old and has such a heart for missions and reaching the world for Christ. Her passport is filled with stamps from: China, Philippines, Brazil, Nicaragua, Holland, Africa, now India and Tanzania this summer. She plans to go into full-time missions after graduating college. She is much of the reason that I wanted to go to Nicaragua this year. My family has been in full time missions my entire life, and there's no reason I shouldn't give of my time in that capacity as well.

I was a bit scared to hear she was going to India, as it's not the safest country (she's only 20 miles outside of the Pakistan border). I know God is taking care of her. I am just so amazed at these people who were brought up Hindu, now learning the truth of Jesus -- but also scared for them for practicing the Christian faith in this country. 

Here are some pictures of her trip so far....

QR Code Gone Wrong

I received this at work the other day and died laughing. I mean.... did that company just not know where their advertising placement buy was located? I would imagine their scan rate was minimal.

Boyce Avenue

I had a friend call me up last week asking if I'd like to go see Boyce Avenue in concert at Center Stage Atlanta. She went to school with the group and was put on the 'list' and was able to bring a friend. I had never heard of them before but went anyway. I was completely blown away by their talent. They are amazing -- their own songs are so heartfelt (one brought me to tears) but also do some great covers, but totally make them their own. Secondhand Serenade was the opener & did a great job as well.

I don't consider myself to be a huge 'concert goer', but I'm really glad I went!

Below is a beautiful song called, "Find Me" about waiting for your 'other'. I honestly cried at this song.

Rolling in the Deep



This is "Find Me" -- the one I actually cried to! 

 

West Egg + Rainy Weekend

One of the things I am really enjoying about living in Atlanta is all the non-chain, locally owned restaurants. I rarely eat at a chain anymore, because there are too many quaint, delicious places to go to instead! I have always been a big supporter of small business establishments. One of the weekends during my blogging hiatus, I met a friend at West Egg Cafe in Midtown. It was a super rainy day and was downright cozy. Little did we know that the entire city of Atlanta wanted to eat at West Egg Cafe that morning as well, and with an hour wait & my 2:00 work meeting, we decided to try another place. But I must come back to this place and try it. It's just too adorable to pass up and I hear the food is amazing.

 

 

I think everyone has their opinion about the 1-finger polish color. I don't do it often, but I paired these two shellac colors together and loved it! 

Random, but I had to point out my new boots from Banana Republic. I love them & have needed a tan boot for a while. It was love at first sight.

Dave's visit to Atlanta

My best guy friend, David, flew into town last weekend to spend time with me! We had a blast! It was great having a familiar face from Virginia come see me in Atlanta.... other than rain, we had a great time eating out (too much!), shopping boutiques, showing him the city and just having fun together!

OysterFest 2012

I don't eat oysters, but OysterFest was this weekend and it was a blast! So many people, live music & seafood! I went with one of my friends, Jessica, but also ran into so many people there! OysterFest is held every year at The SteamHouse Lounge in downtown 10th Street Atlanta. Roads are blocked off and the park is set up with the stage. We ended up spending about 6 hours there, then continued on to Verde for dinner. It was a 12 hour event of a day!

 Ran into some of my new co-workers -- we were so excited! Sometimes Atlanta is such a small world.

Bachelorette Weekend

In February, I made a quick weekend trip to Lynchburg, Virginia for my sweet friend Ellie's bachelorette weekend and bridal shower! It was a super fast trip with me driving up Friday and back Sunday.... not to mention I got very sick Saturday night during the bachelorette party and had to go home early! I felt terrible!

I met Ellie in 2009 and she lived with us for a little while in 104 -- (the big white house). She has been such a sweet friend and I am so excited for her and Dante! I am heading back up to Lynchburg this Friday for the wedding! Can't wait to see my dear friends all over again, knowing that I probably won't see them again until October.

 Of course I had to hit up the special J.Crew store while there.

 This is beginning of Saturday night sickness. Had to switch mid-80mph ride from the 3rd seat to the front seat and I slept in the car!