Favs from the Oscars.

Admittedly, I did not watch the Oscars (gasp. I know.)  However, I did catch up on all the gorgeous dresses on my blogs this morning.  These two are my favorite gowns (and actresses).

Looking forward to the weekends!

In my last few months left in NC, I have a lot of traveling and events I'm getting excited for!  Here's what I'm especially pumped for:

Las Vegas -- THIS weekend with these two amazing girls --> RSJ and S$.  Words can't explain how pumped I am for this!!  We are going to run amuck in Vegas.  I miss these girls every day and they are my absolute best friends.  A reunion is much needed after being apart for a VERY long time.

Great Grapes Wine Festival!  I don't know why I hadn't heard of this before.. but I'm excited to go this year.  SSC introduced me to this event -- and what could be better than being outdoors in the spring, with unlimited wine "samples"..?  I can't wait to go and get belig with her and friends in the sunshine.  Who's down??

Trip to NOLA!  At the end of April, I'll be heading down to New Orleans with Dad and Bex (and perhaps Deluxx(x) now that he'll be 21 -- heyohh) and look for housing!  I'm getting so antsy.. words can't even explain.


..and speaking of Deluxx(x) (my dear little brother).  He turns 21 on April 16th.  And believe I will be there for that debauchery.  He's hilarious to me, and I love him tons -- and I can't wait to help him celebrate with him and friends!

Then there's a series of Bon Voyage parties.. for me and others.  One of TP's friends who is a lot of fun is moving to Utah for work and is having a blowout of drinking and hanging out on the lake.. how can you say no to that?!  I have a weakness for booze in the sunshine.  There's nothing more relaxing.


And then there are my going away party(ies?).  TP's husband brews beer as a hobby (jeal) and it is quite delicious.  He has begun brewing a NOLA style beer, and we're going to have a small party with that and all the New Orleans-style food to have a mini-goodbye party.  One of the girls that used to be in the lab (and one of the only med students that was honestly cool and not an utter douchebag) JC got into her residency up in NYC and we'll be saying goodbye to her too!  I hate goodbye parties, but this will be lowkey enough that I won't get all teary like a baby (although I'm not betting on anything).


..then I've got to do some kind of Adios Triangle bar crawl.  It's only approp since I doubt I'll be back here anytime soon (except to visit of course).  Ah! Sad.. ok enough of that.

Southern Girl Remix.

Admittedly, I am a southern girl.  I love bbq, hairspray, and tailgating for everything (with a coozie in my hand).  However, I've never been bananas about all things monogrammed.  I do appreciate it, but I also know a few girls who go a little nuts with it... and I think you know what I mean (a monogrammed jumper? come on, ladies.  You know you're wrong for that.)

But, I did fall in love with these gorgeous monogram inspired jewelry pieces:

[Carla Caruso Jewelry]

Vegas Must Haves.

Add these tights to the list.  I. need. them.

Giovanna on The Sartorialist

Nerd Humor: Name that Eye Disease.

It was one of the head doctor's birthdays over the weekend.. and SSC came up with this cute idea to help celebrate during the week's lab meeting... decorate doughnuts (creatively, of course) different macular eye diseases he sees in the clinic.  And since he practically has an IV attached to him of Diet Coke, we'd all pitch in a get close to a kilo of the stuff (I may be exaggerating, but nonetheless).

He had a good laugh (and the cool kids had a lot of fun with it).. and I bet it was the first time anyone has ever given him a detached macula made out of fruitrollup and sprinkles before..

Hints to the diseases (and I know I'm leaving some out) -- drusen, geographic atrophy, diabetic retinopathy, uveitis (although that was my "normal" eye haha), detached retina.. and of course the control eyes.

We're dorks.  And we don't care.

..and one of the MDs snuck in a minibottle (wish we woulda thought of that).  And it was a good joke, until the conservative future-MD asked what it was for.. um what? FAIL.  (clearly we won't be friends.)

Adoring on Etsy

Shoe Clip Bouquet [bpoetic]
Rosebud hair pins [heartoflight]
Gilded Birdcage Skinny Leggings Concrete [branchhandmade] Thank you jaeve + things

Lotus Flower Corsage [DHBagsandFibreArt]


..and it's making me crave the warmer weather of spring!

Where's spring?

..no seriously??

[Nirrimi Joy Hakanson]

Loving on Etsy: Dude and Chick.

I love these cards from Dude and Chick.. and they are super nice (although, I haven't encountered anyone through Etsy that wasn't  just wonderful).  They're so cute and clever.

..and I had to get the lumberjack card for JP..

Poor and Hungry: Farmer's Sandwich

This is one of my favorite sandwiches to make.  It's inexpensive, simple, and perfect to take to work (and you don't need a fridge!).

It's the Farmer's Sandwich.  What I like to do, is head to Whole Foods, pick up their "day old" bread from the bakery (which ends up being less than $2 -- and sidebar, its a perfect way for a single girl who can't eat a loaf before it goes stale.. and I hate freezer bread.  It's still soft and delicious.).. then use what I have at home for the rest.

So simple, Farmer's Sandwich:
-Bread (usually with a thick crust -- think french bread or a big roll) cut down the middle
-Cheese -- sharp cheddar works great, but so does gouda, swiss, or a harder cheese (brie might be good.. but may get iffy later in the day without an icepack)
-Lettuce/spinach/arugala
-Granny Smith Apples Sliced

Wrap it up, and done. 

Gifting.. only a few months late.

As I was going through my old drafts.. I came across this post about how I was giving gifts this year.  As you can tell, I'm a few months late for this Christmas post.. however.. I wanted to share with ya'll a cute way to personalize some gift-giving that I stumbled upon on Etsy.

For the past few years, I have been making/baking my gifts for my loved ones for 2 reasons -- I love baking, and I'm pretty poor (and will be even more broke for the next four years.. can't. effing. wait.).  I usually try to find cute holiday-themed boxes, or even canning jars and fill them with goodies for my friends and fam.

This year, I added a fun little personalized touch -- these gift labels from Pretty in Paper Designs. 

The cookies above are my cinnamon freezer box cookies.. and once I find the recipe I'll post it!