Friday Photos 25: Happy B-day, D!

'Tis the eve of my dear friend Deanna's birthday. I thank my lucky stars she was born 31 years ago, and here's why:

She makes photo booths fun. 

She married an awesome dude.

She likes karaoke.

She makes a great wedding date.

She's a fellow Bellarmine Knight.

She wigs out with me.

She'll wear an 80s prom dress to White Castle on Valentine's Day.

She can rock an ugly Christmas turtleneck & vest like no one else.

She understands how "important" dolphins are.

She knows to call 1-800-LADY-TIX for a good time.

She encourages me to try new things and visit new places.

And because she's awesome.

Happy birthday, D! 

Here's to 31 + many more years of good times.

Tip Tuesday 4: The Package Tour

Truth be told, today's tip was going to be about something else. But after the amazing show I saw last night, I knew I had to pass on the good word immediately: go see The Package Tour. 

Seriously, people, it was the most fun I've ever had at a concert. And I've been lucky enough to attend several fabulous concerts.

You may be thinking, "I'm not a big New Kids fan" and I hear you, believe me. In the 80s, while my peers were obsessing over Donnie, Danny, Jordan, Jonathan, and Joey, I was rocking out to Paula Abdul and Michael Jackson. Honestly, I went to this concert mostly because I wanted to see Boyz II Men. 

And let me just say, my "Motownphilly" boyz did not disappoint. In fact, it was "So Hard to Say Goodbye" to them; I wish their smooth-like-butter voices could have melted our ears longer. 

98 Degrees lived up to their name put on a pretty hot show themselves. 

And although I went to the concert as a not-so-crazy NKOTB fan, I left as one. They did, indeed, have the "Right Stuff". It was one huge party and I wish I could go again.

It probably didn't hurt either that Joey McIntyre stood right in front of our seats.

Trust me, you will not be sorry if you purchase a ticket to this show. Check out their schedule, grab your girls, and go have "Una Noche" that you'll thank me for later.

Friday Photos 24: My Brother From Another Mother

Wednesday marked the 32nd anniversary of my dear friend Joey's day of birth. 

I met Joey standing in line for the Bellarmine (College, not University--yeah, we're that old, kids) Convocation Ceremony. So there I am, draped in a black robe in the middle of August on a Sunday afternoon, and I hear, "Hey, how are you?" I turn to see a bubbly young man standing in a black robe beside me. "I'm Joey, what's your name?" And the rest is pretty much history. 

So 14 birthdays later, here we are, still friends. But no black robes--those things were blazin' hot. With each passing year, I'm more and more thankful for my brother from another mother. Happy birthday, buddy! Here's to many more!

Wedding Singers

Go Cards!

You'll always be the Lorenzo to my Snooki.

You + My McNugget

Trivia buffs

Merry McDecker Christmas, everyone!

Thumbs.

You and Rach were probably swapping recipes right before this was taken.

My favorite.

Phyllis McNutt

Thank you for introducing Bunco to my life...

...and for wigging out with me.

#happybirthday #thatswhywearefriends #wehavethebesthashtagconversations 

Tip Tuesday 3: Joss & Main

Thanks to my friend Colleen, I am now familiar with the fabulous home furnishings sale site, Joss & Main. And now thanks to this Tip Tuesday, you are too. 

I literally joined yesterday and already am in love. I'm pretty sure these items need to come live with me:

If you're interested in joining Joss & Main, visit www.jossandmain.com to sign up so you can start shopping these sweet sales soon!

This Summer, So Far...

Since school let out on May 28th, today is officially the first day that I've been able to stay home, and catch my breath. It has been a fun, but super busy start to Summer. Which is why I'm thrilled to be lounging on my couch as I write this, with nothing to do but reflect on all that's happened in the past few weeks...

June 1st, otherwise known as my 10-year college reunion, was a reminder of how blessed I am to have attended Bellarmine University with such wonderful people, a decade ago.

My dad and I got into a conversation the other day about friends. He said that the friends we make in high school are the ones who influence the people we become as adults. And while I have been fortunate to remain friends with several of my high school peeps, I believe that it is my college friends who truly helped to make me into the person I am today. What do you think?

Love these girls, then and now!

The day after my reunion, my Grandma came to town to visit. With everyone else working during the day, I got to be G-ma's personal Louisville tour guide. As a native of the Land of Lincoln, I knew she would appreciate the Lincoln Memorial at Waterfront Park.

We also met the fam for lunch at the Cafe one day, and visited Wild Eggs for brunch the next.

The McNugget cuteness factor was at an all-time high.

The Chocolate Chip Waffle, otherwise known as the definition of gluttony.

By June 8th, I found myself packing a very large suitcase and hitting the road, with the 'rents and Gram in tow. We met Micah, Kate, and my McNugget at my Uncle Gus & Aunt Beth's lake house near Fort Wayne, IN. 

I partied my bass off when I reeled this in.

Needless to say, I loved every minute with this doll.

We got to celebrate Gram's 84th b-day with her too!

We are so blessed that Gus & Beth invite us to this beautiful place each summer!

We got word that some major storms were headed our way, so we rolled out a day early and headed to LaSalle, IL to take my Grandma back home. We didn't waste any time before visiting our favorite lunch spot, The Igloo. 

I'm embarrassed/proud of the number of times we ate there during our 4-day stay.

We got back in town on Saturday, just in time to watch the Cards play in the College World Series on TV. Unfortunately, we couldn't celebrate a victory, but any Louisville fan can spend the rest of Summer reveling in the best year of sports the University has ever had.

Of course we spent yesterday celebrating the best Dad/McPawPaw ever (that's not just my opinion, it's a fact).

Amidst the Father's Day celebration, we also did some wedding planning--'cause while we were at the lake, we got the good news that Andy proposed to Jill (and she said yes)!

Whew. Are you as tired as I am? 

As grateful as I am for these past wonderful weeks, I'm looking forward to some sleeping-in (my own bed), slow-moving, and (maybe) showering-by-noon days of Summer. I hope you're enjoying your Summer too!