Mel J/Mel K's Wedding

Happy New Year! (2 weeks late...)


We had such a wonderful New Year's Day this year. I worked NYE so we won't talk about it. My high school and college friend, Melissa, got married in Austin on New Year's Day at an AMAZING ceremony and reception at the Four Seasons.


Our trip started off a little hairy when we got in town at 3PM (wedding started at 5PM) and our room was not ready. I still needed to shower and get totally ready. I fiddled around a little, went to the bar, and met up with some of the wedding party. My friend Kathryn graciously let me shower in their room while I was waiting. Around 4, they finally let us in our room. Apparently, we were upgraded to a lake-view so I did not complain.

This was the first Jewish wedding I have gone to so it was so neat to see all of their traditions. In the program, they had a page devoted to explaining the traditions. Did you know you do not stand during the bride's processional? Good to know! Here is us at the ceremony. I know I took pics before their wedding but I think it is on my real camera. I did not take any during the ceremony because I cannot stand when people do that. It is so distracting. Johnny looks mildly possessed so please ignore.

Their flowers were beyond amazing. See below:

The Bride and Groom

Grooms cake. Ha! It was huge!

This looks like the most terrifying thing in the world!

Party favors: Whataburger Taquitos to-go. Superb idea.

This was the first night we left Gus. We left him with my parents so I knew he'd be in good hands. I only sent him with 1 page of instructions for the 26 hours he was in their care. Trust me, I held back. When we went to pick him up, he seemed happy and not starved and not stressed. I guess I'll trust the grandparents to watch him again!

I'll update this post with more pics when I upload my camera!

Texas Tech vs Baylor

This weekend, we headed to Dallas for the Texas Tech vs Baylor football game. It was held at the new Cowboy Stadium. Johnny had been before for a tour of the stadium and it was my first time. We had a blast! 


I worked Friday night so we hit the road as soon as I got home. Luckily, I slept the whole time while Johnny and his friend did the driving. We got to Dallas around noon and went to set up the tailgate. It. Was. Cold. The actual temperature was fine, but the crazy wind was just too much. The Tech people were used to it from their days in Lubbock, but I spent my college years warm and cozy in Austin.

Luckily, I had my blanket from the car ride up to keep me warm.

Cowboy Stadium was so HUGE and great. I had a really good time. There were about 20 of us sitting together so we were probably not our neighbor's favorite. We were told that because it was a Baylor home game, alcohol wouldn't be served. I thought that didn't sound right.

My only dislike was that they played the bands over the sound system. That is kind of the point of college bands, ya know? To be able to hear them on your own. 

Soooo, the game didn't turn out exactly how Johnny had hoped. Here is a glimpse of his misery. 

Thanks for the free hat, State Farm!

I love neutral-venue games! I am sure there are tons more in the future thanks to Mr. Jones!

Las Vegas!

Let me just start off saying that I was going to have the cutest Instagram pics from my recent trip to Vegas... except that Las Vegas ate my phone. We'll get into that later.


Last weekend, I went to Vegas with 3 other girls Charlotte, Katherine, and Annie for a long weekend of fun. I got way more than I bargained for. Since I don't have any pictures to entertain you, I will just give you the highlights:


Favorite New Casino:
Margaritaville! This is Jimmy Buffet's new casino located in the Flamingo. We loved it because of the laid back atmosphere, young/fun dealers, and cheap tables. We learned how to play 3 Card Poker and made tons-o-friends. We ended up there every night.

Shows:
We went to see Charlotte's favorite- Chippendales! I had so much fun! It's one of those shows that you will get out of it what you put in it. Pic below.

Favorite new restaurant:

Lakeside at the Wynn. It was so yummy and pretty. Highly recommend!

Lost phone:
I have had the old iPhone 3G since (literally) January 2009. It was soooo slow. When the new 4S phones came out, I jumped on it and was SO happy with how FAST it was. I managed to keep up with it for about 3 weeks... until Vegas. All I know is, I had my phone at the hotel before we left for the airport and did not have it once we got there. The hotel didn't have it so some cabbie is enjoying himself a new phone with my cute old case- the pic is just a little blurry.

Summary: We slept for about 10 hours over 3 days. I have been sick ever since. I had too much Vegas.

Rome! Part 1

I have a new love: Rome. This was definitely one of my top places to have ever visited in Europe and I will be returning. 


Once we were done in Tuscany, we headed to Rome. Abbey had to head back to work, so Erin, Jennifer and I were left to our own. Abbey had booked us at this hostel in Rome (which I would not recommend so I'll move on). Once we were settled into our digs, we started our visit to Rome with a free walking tour. All major European cities have free walking tours and I think it's a great way to get around. Plus, it's free! They just ask for a little tip at the end. We're talking 5 Euros here. It is led by locals or ex-pats who have some great info and are very entertaining. We did the New Rome Free Tour and I loved it! The tour started in the evening so we finished once it was dark, it was beautiful! Here are the highlights:

The Spanish Steps

The Pantheon

Trevi Fountain

Tossing the coin!

After the tour, our guide suggested a nearby restaurant with (literally) over 100 types of spaghetti. It was delish!

 Our table!

Monday morning, we started the day at the Colosseum with a guided tour. We looked look Tourist McGees with our cool headsets. I had made fun of people doing tours like this before but it was really neat! You can walk away and look at stuff while still being able to hear the guide. See below:

It was beautiful! 

After the Colosseum, we were sick of standing up so we went to a rooftop hotel restaurant and enjoyed a bottle of Prosecco. Yum! 

UT/Tech Weekend

This weekend we participated in two of my favorite activities: 1) Taking a trip to Austin, and 2) Going to a college football game! Remember this from last year? It's crazy to think of what this past year has brought us and where we will be in a year from now. I like to think we can mark our lives in college football seasons.

Warning: I still don't have a new camera so that explains why I have I have so few pics and why the ones I do have are of less quality. This was also my first attempt at the iPhone app Instagram. Here we go!

Friday evening, we arrived in Austin and got ready for the evening. We met 10 friends at a fun, nicer Mexican restaurant in downtown, Manuel's. After dinner we met up with even more friends at some bars downtown. We slipped out right before closing time to grab a cab back to the hotel.

Saturday morning, we woke up at 7AM (ugh) to begin our day. The game started at 11AM so we needed to get busy fast. We had lots of Mimosas and Bloody Marys on our to-do list!

After getting a ride with some strangers to the game, we made it for all of the pre-game festivities.

Cheering on the teams!

It was a beautiful day and we had a blast cheering on our alumni. BUT, the good ole 'Horns won so I was happy!

After the game, we made our way by pedicab to Scholz's Beer Garden for some drinks and snacks. 

We decided we needed a nap after the mere 4 hours of sleep and rough morning we had. We headed back to the hotel for a nap... and never left again. We all woke up, ordered room service, and finished the night with lots of football on TV. It was glorious. 

Sunday morning we met a big group for brunch at Second. It was delish! We had a super fun weekend of football and friends. 2 of the best things in life!

Tuscany Part 2

Saturday, our plan was to head to this cute little town called San Gimignano and then to Florence. It was Abbey's birthday so we needed to start the day with some Prosecco.

San Gimignano's cute streets

Look-out over the town

We saw a wedding in town!

My favorite part of the town was the Tuscan ceramics. I fell in love! We found this amazing shop that had hundreds of ceramics. You weren't allowed to take pics or I would have a million. The ceramics are a bit pricy and I had next-to no room in my luggage so I bought the essentials: olive oil container, pasta forks, and a (non-pictured) Christmas ornament.

Off to Florence! 

First Gelato stop of the trip

Fake David statue

In front of the Ponte Vecchio

We all got friendship necklaces with our names

Showing off our necklaces!

Close-up of the Ponte Vecchio

We needed a drink! And free Wi-Fi!

Golden Doors at the Baptistery

The Duomo

That evening we went to a delicious dinner at Abbey's favorite Florence restaurant, 13 Gobbi

Cute interior

Birthday Girl!

Tuscany Part 1

On to the trip! I have broken the posts up as to not bore myself and you. 


Erin, Jennifer and I flew into Rome and landed Thursday morning. Abbey picked us up at the airport (on time!) and we started the drive to our villa. Side Note- Abbey has been appointed to pick me up from airports all over the world (LA, Vegas, and Dublin) and has been at least 2 hours late for each of these pick-ups. Her saving grace was that she flew into Rome so her flight made her on time. MOVING ON... Abbey drove and I was the navigator in our miniature car. I can read maps. BUT, Abbey had Google Maps directions (no pictures) printed out and the Italian road signs are not the same. We started out on what should have been about a 3 hour drive. The entire drive, it just didn't feel right. We weren't seeing any of the signs we were supposed to see. After many turn-arounds, stops, attempting to iPhone map, we realized we were on the wrong highway! Luckily, Italy isn't very wide so even though we were driving up the wrong side of the boot, it wasn't horrific. We got to our Villa about 10PM and had dinner there. 

We ate Caprese at every meal! 

Friday morning, we woke up to see our amazing villa in the sunlight! 

The place was more of a compound of villas. You can see Abbey in our doorway. We met 2 older couples from Georgia staying there too!

 The main office of the compound

Villa pool and views!

We started off to find wineries! Apparently we have some issues with directions because we started out the wrong direction down the highway. We couldn't figure out why we weren't seeing any wineries! This was one random one we found that was obviously someone's personal winery. 

Olive oil farm! I bought a bottle for myself and my parents!

Once we went down the right road, we found this AMAZING winery in the Chianti region. Click to see their website here! I ordered wine and had it shipped home. I'm not a white wine drinker, but they claimed to have the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world. The Prosecco (Italian version of Champagne) was amazing too. I ordered a Chianti Classico and Prosecco for myself, and the SB for Brooke. When I go back to the area (yes, when), I will be staying at this winery.

Tasting

All of the yummy-ness

Our new friend, Rafa

Another view of the winery

My purchases. Please excuse the poor quality. My camera broke mid-way through the trip so this is from my ancient iPhone.

Days 2 of 4 complete!