Banks Bradley

I don't have any siblings. I like it that way. 100%. No doubt. Wouldn't change it for the world.

So obviously, I have no nieces or nephews. I will NEVER marry an only child, just to remedy this issue. So, when my friends call me their childrens' "aunt", it sends me over the moon. I melt into a puddle of emotional, hold back the tears mush. 

Ok so. My friend Amy is a mom. And that means that her husband Bill is a dad. I think I needed to type that so that I can comprehend it. That said, I need to also type this... I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER FOR THEM!!!

Banks Bradley entered the world on April, 25th, 2012 at 4:04pm. He weighs 6lbs. 9oz. and is 19 in., such a little cutie! 

But let me start at the beginning. Amy and I have been friends since approximately January 17th, 2005. (Yes Amy, that was my bid day.) She was my Mama Squirrel (I won't go into what this means, but it's very official and Amy gets it). I also very quickly realized that Amy is me 2 years in the future, or I'm her 2 years in the past, or something like that. Either way, we get each other. She is the only person that understands and relates to how awkward I can be in any and every situation that requires composure. 

 I will ALWAYS appreciate her for this. 

I was lucky enough to be a part of Amy and Bill's engagement scavenger hunt and also their wedding. (The "R") I love this couple so much. They are my cool friends. I mean I feel cooler when I hang out with them. It's true.

So I went to visit Banks last night, because let's be honest, as much as I love Amy and Bill, I never go visit them. Sorry guys. This will change starting yesterday at 4:04pm. So after I spent some precious time with my friends and this precious little bundle, it was time for mommy and baby to get some rest. Bill was walking us (some other friends had come to visit as well) out to our cars and he said "Aunt Vic". I nearly passed out in the hallway. Bill, in case you don't remember this, which you probably don't, it happened. So don't take it back.

So this brings the count of my pseudo nieces and nephews to 3. Brogan, Giovanni and Banks. I love them all as if each of their moms were my sisters and hope to be an awesome aunt to each one of them!

 Challenge accepted.

P.S. Amy, this last picture is just for fun. It has little relevance to this blog, but I couldn't help but laugh when I saw it...

Tea for 2!

Brogan Marie is 2!!

 I cannot believe that sweet sweet Brogan is now officially a 2 year old. WHOA! It is so fun watching her learn (and repeat) new things everyday! She is so funny and has such an adorable little personality, so sassy!

For Brogan's 2nd birthday, her parents gave her an amazing little tea party, and I was so thankful that I was there to help and to enjoy all the fun!

Brogan got lots of sweet gifts, but some of my favorites were the laptop that her parents got for her, and the birthday card that I picked out for her months ago! The Leap Pad Laptop is too cute, and Brogan has little emails that she receives from "Nam-ma, Nam-pa, and Uncle Eric". Her face is too cute when she hears those emails! Brogan LOVES "Pincess" a.k.a. Rapunzel from Disney's Tangled, and I picked out a birthday card that sang one of the songs from the movie...I loved seeing her open it again and again to hear the music, TOO CUTE!! 

Brogan is one of the sweetest little girls I know and I love hearing her get excited when "Vic and Luke" are pulling in the driveway! We love you Brogan Marie and can't wait to see what all this year will bring!

A Magical Night

I have had a wonderful time visiting with my parents, and we've had so much fun the past few days! On thanksgiving, I went to my aunt's house and had the most DELICIOUS food, especially my Mimi's dressing! It's insane how good it is!!! 

My mom and I went to the North Georgia Premium Outlets to do a little pre-Black Friday shopping, since the shops opened at 9pm-12pm. We found some great deals, but did the bulk of our shopping on Black Friday at Dress-Up! (their styles are adorable, check them out!) Mom and I both found several cute scarves, jackets and head warmers...now if it would just get cold outside!!

Tonight, my mom, dad, myself, and my best friend Krista went to the Lake Lanier Magical Nights of Lights and had a BLAST!!! MNOL is a 7 mile drive of beautiful Christmas lights that include everything from the 12 days of Christmas to The Wizard of Oz!! Despite the fact that most people drive through the lights, that didn't stop us from continually hopping out of the car to run and take pictures with our favorite characters!

We finished the drive at Santa's Workshop, where we roasted marshmallows, bought Christmas ornaments and rode carnival rides! It was so much fun, and I haven't laughed that hard in a long time! So many wonderful memories were made, and I am so glad that I was able to make them with the 'rents and my bestie!

  

Skipping straight to the best part...

Well, Thanksgiving and Christmas are my favorite times of year. So I will say that is why it has been so long since I blogged (not because I'm lazy or unmotivated...)

So, sadly, not much has happened since July. I'm still loving my "new" place and love continuing to make it mine, especially decorating for the holidays. This is my first "grown-up" holiday season. I say this only because this is the first time that I will actually have family (my mom and dad) coming from out of town to stay with me. I'm so excited! I love Black Friday shopping with my mom and I am planning a fun trip for all us to the Lake Lanier Nights of Light!

 Looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with these two!

I can't believe I haven't blogged about PINTEREST yet!!! I am absolutely obsessed! It is exactly what a slightly OCD internet surfer like myself had only dreamed of before! I am especially addicted because it allows me to keep all my party planning ideas straight! I have a few upcoming parties that I can't wait to share with you, including an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, a Tea Party for a super fun 2 year old, and a baby shower for my dear friend Amy! I am beyond excited that Bill and Amy are expecting their first baby, and I KNOW that this kid is going to be too cool for school, but more to come on that later...

Back to Pinterest, I have a new obsession. Chalkboard paint! If it sits still, I'll turn it into a chalkboard! (Good thing my pup is already black!) I have painted several things in my house, but I think my favorite so far are these...

These will come in handy during the holidays, simply cannot have confused glasses!



I'll be posting more holiday pics this week, let's just say my place is "beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"...until then I'll leave you with this little holiday jem!

Summer Hair

So I've never really had a signature "seasonal style", but I think I may change that this summer. My new obsession is anything and everything that's NOT a ponytail.

Now I know that sounds sort of silly, but my hair is pretty long and I have been wearing it up a lot with the summer heat. I've found myself intrigued with every possible way to wear my hair other than in a ponytail. Here are some of my current favorites...

 

   

Clockwise: Waterfall braid, sock bun, dutch braid, and fishtail braid

I have also worn braids in a circle around my head, which I love along with a flower in it. The best part is that these hairstyles are year round styles and they are simple alternatives to a ponytail and take very little time to do.

There is something about braids and buns that take me back to being a little girl, but are still so chic. I learned how to do most of these styles by watching tutorials on youtube.

If you have any other "non ponytails", please share them...I can't wait to try more styles this summer!

 

Get Yo' Nails Did...

I have discovered a new love. HelloGiggles.

Founded by Zooey Deschanel, Sophia Rossi and Molly McAleer, it is "the ultimate entertainment destination for smart, independent and creative females". Um, hello? JACKPOT!!! It has several daily posts including, but not limited to, Saved by the Bell episode recaps, A single girls guide, Your Muppet Man Guide (how to tell what kind of a man he is by his favorite muppet) and Get Yo' Nails Did, the latter by Molly McAleer. 

Molly is one of my favorite bloggers on HelloGiggles and in her blog series "Get Yo' Nails Did" she tries many different nail trends. I decided to try this one. 

I think mine turned out cute (but only from a distance). Up close, you can tell that black that I used was not from a nail polish pen (which has been added to my shopping list), but from a bottle that I've had for some time and the polish is a bit sticky. This was my first time trying this technique and as Molly correctly advised, this takes practice.

 

I also painted my toes leapoard print and went for the same classis leopard colors, although I am excited to try some bright and exciting shades soon.

I am also looking forward to trying these, but in a multi-colored glitter. I will post on how these turn out soon, so stay tuned and CHECK OUT HELLOGIGGLES!!!!!!

Movin' on up...

So this has been a very busy week for me, 

I MOVED!

I am now the proud tenant, which sounds better than "renter", of my very own one bedroom apartment. It has always been a small dream of mine to have my own apartment and now, I do. 

Luke is LOVING his new place, but he is still getting used to having all this space to himself! However, he does not love having to go up and down 3 flights of stairs just to go outside...hopefully he will adjust.

 I am also happy to say that ALL, that's right, ALL of my boxes are unpacked. The only things left to do is to sand and paint some very red chairs black and to hang some decor on the walls... I'm also in the hunt for a coffee table and bed frame...but I'm banking on some "OMG that's it!" and "It's a steal!" kind of finds with these two :)

Moving day was hectic, but I got everything out of my old place and into the new one! But not without lots of help from my mom and dad, along with the best friends ever, Meg and Andrew!

It's amazing that it took a 17ft. UHAUL to move everything I owned, but thankfully it all fits perfectly in my new home...and also noted, I never want to drive a UHAUL if it is in any way avoidable!!

 The best parts...

1. I now live only 1.5 miles from a REAL grocery store. For the past 7 years I have only been able to buy my grocery at a certain "one stop shop", and I wasn't a fan. (it's the little things)

2. I live only 7.6 miles away from the sweetest little god-son EVER!

I'm sure I will have many more post about decorating and all the new adventures living on my own will bring, so please stay tuned...and if you have any advice on decor, I'm all ears!