30 days until 30 feels great!

So there has always been a significant build up to the most importtant day of the year. My birthday! But this year marks a very special milestone, my 30th. So I decided to get back to blogging after my cryptic one a month posts and will attempt to do something everyday until May 25th. A 30 day challenge if you will. So today is Thursday, and since it is tbt "Throw back Thursday" I thought I would start with one of the most terrible birthdays I can remember. My roller skating party when I was 8.

I was one of the lucky ones growing up that had a pool in the back yard and every year we would have swim parties for my birthday. My mother was wonderful and always made a huge deal out of the day. Balloons, a Clown (he totally wasn't a scary clown) and aways the perfect theme and cake! We would swim all day and he parents love it because we were all in bed by the time the sun went down.

Well, all of my other friends always had roller skating parties because, well, they didn't have pools in their backyards so they really didn't have a choice. Georgia summers can be stifling without a pool to seek refuge, so indoors they went. I was jealous beyond belief and demanded that I have a roller skating party. And of course it was the most horrific experience ever.

I don't remember most of the days details, but I do remember one of my best friends couldn't come to the party, fighting with another friend at the rink, falling so many times that I think there were more bruises than normal colored skin and I am pretty sure I went home crying with the worst headache I have ever imagined. Seriously, hangovers to date haven't even been this bad. So I went to my room and put a cold rag on my head and pouted for the rest of the day. What. A. Diva.

Looking back it is a ridiculous example of my lifelong struggle with the grass is greener syndrome. Or the fence complex. I was the kid that had the coolest parties, but because everyone else had something different, I wanted it their way. My 8 year old self was much smarter in this area than my current 29 year old self because you know what? She NEVER had anything other than a pool party until we moved away from that house. And to this day I seriously hate roller skating rinks.

Registering for life

There are a lot of things that we have to register for throughout our lives that do not make us excited...registering for classes, car tags, gym memberships, fa passport (well that is a little exciting/stressful) Any whoo, my point is that the Squid and I FINALLY began registering for our wedding! Yippie! I really had to sweet talk my way into this one, considering the Squid has about a two second attention span for all things wedding. I buttered him up with brunch and bloody mary's and then we were off to Crate and Barrel! I was concerned that it was going to be more of an ordeal or hassle to get the things we needed from the customer service rep, but she said "here is the scanner, go wild!"

It still amazes me that after living with someone for over a year and a half that he can still surprise me with his interests, likes and home decor style. We live in a small apartment in DC we really haven't decorated much (other than the many wooden shelf's, boxes and other wooden gadgets that the Squid has made by hand) because who knows how long we will be there. And I rarely have an opinion on things like this - not to mention I don't know how to hang a picture.

So we were off to the races and of course he went straight for the canning gadgets, grilling utensils and knives, while I preferred little kitchen knick knacks like muttlers, choppers and cutesy little bowls. In the end we decided to not look into china, glassware and other items that will take over our small apartment...I think that is what they call "baby steps." It only lasted about two hours, but I think we started making some great decisions as a couple about the things that were essential, the things we could live without and the things that we hope someone decides to splurge on! However, it was quite interesting when we got home that we had registered for 8 butter warmers...hey! They looked like French Onion soup bowls to us!

I am so happy that I am on this journey with the Squid. It is hard for us sometimes to get on the same page, let alone have dinner at a reasonable hour because of work schedules and the fast paced life that this city requires of us, but man its great to know there is one person out there that knows exactly how much honey you require in your coffee.

Feels like home

Last night I enjoyed a girls night out. I have to admit, its been a while since I have 100% devoted all my time to the same sex...I have been a little Squid obsessed! But, who could blame me...he is so damn cute. Anyhow, I had the best conversations about life, love, religion and yes - getting married!

This was a reunion with the coconut girls - if you don't remember, these are the women that I embarked on a fabulous little trip to Turks and Caicos - the first adult trip since I had been back in DC. We drank, we snorkeled and made some serious life decisions on the sand.

So 8 months later we are all in completely different places than we were on the Island. Marti is leaving us for a new adventure on the West coast, Candice is in a exciting, committed relationship that has her biking, running and kayaking all over DC (and beyond) and Heidi is about to marry a wonderful man that continues to make her smile everyday. And me? Well between the engagement, the job change and turning 29 I think everyone is aware of the new places I am going.

For so many changes, it is incredible how four people can come back together and still have so much in common and have a true interest in each other's lives. I love these ladies, and I hope that they continue to include me in their journey's across countries, rivers and cities. I have no doubt that the coconut girls will have some amazing adventures to come!

It doesn't matter if someone has been in your life for one week, five years or twenty - if they make you feel like you are at home, they are worth having around.

Dreaming of the "could have beens"

As I sit at my desk this morning, my mind is full of thoughts about things that could have been.Over the past few years friends have come and gone, hair colors have changed and locations too! Jobs, men, diets - all flashing by me today. I wonder sometimes about life and God, and why things happen the way that they do. Why I was born with an insatiable appetite for food, love and life. Oh, and also shopping. "I have enough dresses!" I said NEVER.

Anyway, the reason for this post is to wander through my thoughts and why I feel the need to long for other things. I spoke with a good friends mother the other night who is so wonderful and shares the same appetite I do for travel. I was supposed to visit her daughter in Asia this month, but I went the practical route and decided to wait until next year. But I can't help but feel unsettled with my decision. I am a victim of searching friends on Facebook and turning pea green with envy because of the places they are going or the things they do. How ridiculous considering I have done my own fair share of traveling this year!

There has always been the saying "the grass is greener" but when (and how) do people arrive at the idea that their grass is the best? I don't want to miss out on my life because I am flying here or there and just snapping pictures of things to say I've been there (I do know people who do this, what a waste.) My mother always tells me "Lacy, you're young, you have your whole life ahead of you to travel!" Mom, I love you but I want to do it all and the sooner the better!

So I am trying to relax because the Squid and I have a wonderfully fulfilling life that keeps us running from life experience to experience (it just isn't Amsterdam to Chile.) I think the bigger problem is that for the first time ever my life is feeling settled, and I am feeling restless. I am not traveling for work or having 80 hour work weeks any longer. The routine after work HH isn't necessary anymore. BUT, I have a wonderful new job that is challenging me in new ways, I am able to be productive in my spare time (I am finally learning how to sew) and I AM GETTING MARRIED! What do I have to complain about? I have been struggling to get into a comfortable groove with life these days. How does my sister do it? She is the Queen of nesting and I can't seem to sit still.

So I welcome any ideas, thoughts, remedies, medication (just kidding, but seriously) that can curb my appetite for the "other stuff." Well, I know that my journey will begin once I have the courage to open my eyes.

For the Love of Bikes!

Friends, family, chic urban cyclists, lend me your ear! I have just found the most amazing website that has just saved my fashion sense. Thank you Elle, for your amazing gift of knowledge on this brand.

Eleanor's NYC has just changed cycling for me forever. I think a lot of you know my struggle with wardrobe and the constant woes of dismissing my beautiful dresses for shorts, tights or pants when biking through the city. The Squid is lucky that he can throw on some chamois under nice shorts and a button down and still be presentable enough to go to a "smart casual" (thanks Open Table) restaurant and look dashing. I however am stuck trying on 5-8 outfits and figuring out what items to wear, what I can bike in and what I will need to bring in order to attempt to be presentable at the dinner table. Well, I have listed a few of my issues with cycling around the city and how Eleanor's has just improved my life.

Scenario One: Bye, bye dignity. Hello, vajayjay on display.
You have all seen it. A cute girl with a dress on biking down the street. Even in movies you see a light breeze blowing through her hair, but not blowing her dress. Let me enlighten you on the reality of this - there are a small selection of dresses that can be worn on a bike, in fact just one: Flowy full skirted dress that hits from your knee to mid calf. Of course the list is longer of dresses that can't be worn. Skirts shorter than mid thigh, form fitting frocks, bias cut or anything structured with no elastic give (unless you are in it to bare all.) So even when wearing the most appropriate of the choices, it happens! Dress blows up and you are exposed! Solution? Eleanor's bicycle skirt garter This item is small, easy to throw in your bag and conveniently prevents an afternoon peep show. Just brilliant!

Scenario Two:  Summer showers bring wet tushes?
I am sure many people in the green world of today don't keep handy plastic bags anymore. Also, in the District you are charged $.05 for each bag that you use when grocery shopping, picking up take out or going to the liquor store. It can really add up. So it is rare when it rains to be able to find a plastic bag handy to throw over your bike seat. Some may say "Lacy, is that really necessary, just wipe off your seat!" But I have a B17 Standard Brooks leather saddle that cannot withstand the rain. What to do...EUREKA! Bicycle Polka Dot Rain Cap! Its like a shower cap for your saddle! I love this so much and think it is a fun statement to make on a gray day!

Scenario Three: Clutch your inner style, not unattractive active bag!
It is hard to find items that retain qualities of fashion AND function, but Eleanor's got it right! I have tried many bags before and ended up with a cross body, active bag with waist clip (think fanny pack, but on your lower back.) I have embraced the idea because I have searched everywhere for some that can transition from commuting to going out with the girls OR to a last minute business meeting. Enter the Handlebar Convertible Purse! This gives the perfect balance to fashion and function! It affixes to your handlebars (so no need to worry about wrinkling your clothes or "fanny packing it" around town) and also comes with a detachable strap so it can be a clutch OR cross body bag. AND it is water, stain and fade resistant!

Bravo Eleanor's for bringing fashion back into my daily routine. I know that the Squid is going to be proud.

Now everyone, get out there and ride!