red badge of courage

Not a whole lot to say because I'm slaving over pharmacology for the next 2 weeks.

BUT.

I have a little treat for you!

warning: lots of period talk

I stumbled upon this on Buzzfeed (a procrastinator's best friend) and guess this is the ad campaign for a monthly service dedicated to your lady bits.  

Hello Flo.

Not sure I'll be subscribing to that one anytime soon but it makes for a hilarious commercial.

Any gems you've stumbled upon lately on the internets??

Love, Cait

This post was not sponsored by Hello Flo. I was not endorsed in any way. I just thought it was too good to share.

sunday social: foooood

Another week, another link up with Ashley and Neely for The Sunday Social.  This week's topic is one of my favorites... food!

1. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

For a girl who loves food, this one is pretty hard to answer. For the rest of my life? Uhhh... fruit.  I know, I know, it's kind of cheating but it's my blog and I make the rules.  Haha! 

Seriously thought, I could do a lot with fruit and it would satisfy my sweet tooth. Kind of.

2. What's your guilty pleasure/comfort food?

Dr. Pepper fountain drink with crushed/Sonic ice (not from a can, eww)

huge caramel Frappucinos from Starbs

candy

If you can get it at a movie theater, I'm all over that.

3. What's the weirdest/craziest thing you've ever eaten?

Rattlesnake.  I don't recommend it and I have an intense phobia of snakes.  

 

Sidenote: If you live in Austin or plan on visiting, go visit Hudson's on the Bend.  The food is excellent, they love wine, and they're always cooking up interesting meats.

4. What foods do you avoid at all costs?

Really fatty cuts of red meat. I love steak.  I crave red meat. But I like it medium rare and super lean.  I know that the fat gives it flavor, but I cannot stomach chewing on it.  B on the other hand will gladly eat the chunks of fat that I cut off from my steaks.

5. What meal reminds you of your childhood?

Mustgoes! At our grandmother's house, whenever she needed the fridge cleaned out of leftovers and small amounts of food, it all got heated up and set out. We filled our plates with whatever was there because Grandmother said, "It must go!" Whatever wasn't eaten that night was thrown out.

Or breakfast for dinner. Always a winner in our house!

6. Share one of your favorite recipes and the story behind it.

Confession: I don't cook really.  I can grill up some veggies or make a mean quesadilla, but I just don't have a huge interest in cooking. Plus, B and I have pretty opposite schedules during the school year (i.e. he is teaching and coaching until 9pm).  I don't know about you guys, but I think it's hard to cook for just yourself and I usually buy more food than I need so it gets thrown out before I can use it. And that is money in the garbage.

via

Cait's Famous Bomb Ass Salad

spinach leaves

feta cheese or blue cheese

hardboiled eggs (sliced)

craisins

sunflower seeds

cherry tomatoes

carrots (sliced, shredded, or baby)

avocado, cubed

strawberries, sliced

celery, sliced

red pepper, sliced

Briannas Blush Wine Vinaigrette

Make sure everything is washed. Slice and dice things to your pleasing. Toss in a bowl. Drizzle with Briannas Blush Wine Vinaigrette.  Impress everyone you know.

You can also add shredded chicken, if you're feeling adventurous.

Can't wait to see what delicious recipes you've all got!

xoxo, 

Cait

84th birthday

Grandpa,

Today is your 84th birthday.  Or, it would be if you were still here.  You've been gone now for 219 days.  I keep thinking it will get easier, but it hasn't.

Sure, there are days where it doesn't cross my mind as frequently and when I'm almost able to forget that you won't be here to witness some pretty big moments in our lives.  But then it all comes crashing back to me and before I realize it, I'm driving down the road with tears streaming down my face and a lump in my throat that feels like it will burn a hole in me before I'm able to swallow it down.  That's when I think of you most - on my long drives back and forth to Galveston. I can only listen to the same songs on the radio for so long before I have to turn them off and that's when my mind begins to wander.

I wonder if you know all these things, if you're aware of how I feel.  I wonder if you watch down on us as we go through our lives.  I hope you're here, but I don't feel your presence.  I talk to you all the time, hoping and praying that I'll hear your voice again, knowing that it isn't possible.

Speaking of your voice, I have two of your old voicemails stored on my phone.  I listened to them one day when I transferred everything over to my new phone, almost in a panic when I didn't know how to move them, afraid that I would lose your voice forever.  I must have replayed them twenty times apiece, over and over again.  But since then I can't bring myself to listen to them.  I would give anything to hear you call me "Prissy Britches" one more time. To hug you so tightly that I'd never let go.

I worry about Grandmother in that house alone.  Patrick (and Sophie) moved out a few weeks ago so she's all alone there and it worries me.  Does she wake up and for a split second forget that you're gone, only to have to relive the horror of your death all over again? Does she sometimes call out to you only to remember that you aren't there?  How do you live with someone, grow with someone, rely on someone for 60 years of marriage and one day they're gone forever?  Does she talk to you the way that I do?  I can't bring myself to ask her these questions and truthfully, I'm scared that the answers may break my heart even more. I can't handle that.

What if something similar happens to her and no one is around? I wish I knew you were watching over her so that couldn't happen. 

I'm getting married in 224 days.  You were supposed to give me away.  I don't know what I'll do on my wedding day, and I don't mean the logistics of who will walk me down that aisle.  I'm afraid the reality that you aren't there will hit me and completely debilitate me, send me into a crying mess that no hair or makeup can repair.  And I don't want such a beautiful day to be ruined, but in some ways it already is because you won't be there.  You were the one that B called to ask permission before proposing.  How can I do this without you by my side? 

I started nursing school in May.  I'm doing well and I love it.  I wish I could talk to you about it. I know that you would be so proud of me. I have so many hours I spend back and forth in the car that I wish I could spend talking to you.

Do you know all these things I'm telling you?  Are you aware of what's going on in our lives here?  Do you know about how we all basically fell apart and had to learn to put ourselves back together since you died?  So many things have happened - Natasha and Emily had their baby, Christine called off the wedding, David decided that law school was not where he belonged, I quit teaching, David moved back to Austin, I started nursing school, Nancy had her baby, Patrick and Claire moved in together. It's only been 7 months and yet so much has changed.  How much more will continue to change without you being here for it all?

I miss you. I think I miss you as much today as the first day. I don't know if that will ever change. But today, on what would have been your birthday, it is that much harder. I feel like a coward, but I'm thankful that I have 12 hour day at clinical today because I don't know how to talk to Mom and Grandmother on your birthday.  It certainly won't have escaped their minds, much like it hasn't escaped mine.  Selfishly, I hope that I can make it through my clinicals with so much going on that I don't have time to just stop and think, to allow my mind to wander.

I want today to happen on fast-forward.

I'd like every July 27th from here forward to just disappear.

I love you, Grandpa. Happy Birthday.

 

 

 

July 27, 1929 - December 19, 2012

something is better than nothing, right?

Today I attempted to do the interval run that Meredith at My Own Little World put on IG yesterday.  I ran outside in the blistering heat twice this week already and thought I would take it easy on myself with this little dreadmill run today.

follow her for some motivating workouts and meals! via

BOY, WAS I WRONG!

don't let this picture fool ya - I was smiling through the pain

For reference, it takes a lot for me to have sweat pouring off of me.  I glisten very easily and that's typically where it stops.  I was sweatier after this indoor treadmill run than I was after either of my outdoor runs this week.

I attempted the first 10 second run at 9.5 (yes, 9.5, I misread her interval speed!) and truly thought this was going to happen:

via

And because clearly Meredith is on another level, here's the workout I actually did.  

But hey, at least I had a cheering section!

     

Who knows how acccurate the treadmill is but for what it's worth:

Calories - 340.5

Time - 29:06

Distance - 2.391 miles

Any other interval training you guys like to do?

xoxo,

Cait

random wedding musings

Our Save the Dates (which I lovingly refer to as STDs) arrived last week so I've been working on some weddings things lately.  For a while, wedding planning sort of stalled.  Not in a bad way, but just in a "nursing school is really busy and there isn't too much to do right now" sort of way.  But we are officially less than 8 months out so here's what has been going on lately:

Bridesmaid Dresses

Two of my lovely bridesmaids ordered their dresses in Austin a two weeks ago and I tagged along with two of my Houston bridesmaids last week to order theirs.  My future SIL is going this weekend (while I'm clinicals) to order hers and then they will all have dresses ordered.

I let each girl pick her own style but all the dresses are the same color and fabric (lux chiffon) from the Dessy line.  If you're bridesmaid dress shopping, I highly recommend checking out Dessy.  They have some gorgeous dresses and there were a handful of very helpful boutiques in Austin and Houston that helped us. It was quite interesting because there are SO MANY styles that a store can't possibly carry every style, in every color, in every material and in every size.  So in looking at the styles my amazing girls tried on some interesting colors and patterns.  Don't worry, we aren't going with any of the colors seen below!

all dresses from Dessy and After Six line

Now I need to deal with my little sisters.  They will be 9 and 10 when we get married in the spring.  Our ring bearer will be almost 3.  To me, this means my sisters are too old to be flower girls but too young to be junior bridesmaids.  I'm having them help with programs and seating and stuff.  But now I need to find them something to wear.  Everything is either way too young (see below left) or too sexy (below right).  What 9 year old wears a strapless dress? Any ideas, dear readers??

(I think they should be in lux chiffon since that will match the bridesmaids but I'm leaning towards knee length dresses... problem? Can't find this anywhere!)

flower girl dress via                                                                junior bridesmaid dress via

Save the Dates

We went with postcards because they are cheaper and people don't really care in the long run.  Do you need another magnet on your fridge? Are you going to savor this wedding remnant for years to come? Unless you're my mother the answer is no.  And I'm okay with that.

of course we put our dogs on the postcard!

My good friend Roxy (grrfeisty) took some pictures with us and our pups a few weeks back.  She is so talented! I'm thrilled with how they turned out. If you're in the Houston area and need photos taken, please contact her! Photography isn't a business of hers but a hobby she is passionate about and it shows in the quality of her photos.

(Hopefully these will get in the mail sometime in the next week. Enjoy the sneak peak, folks!)

Hair & Makeup
I was always that girl who got her hair and makeup done for homecoming or prom and then promptly came home and changed it all to my liking.  I guess I can chalk it up to not being that assertive and not really knowing the exact style I like.  My favorite hair style was when it was loose and had a flower in it for senior prom.

Imagine this, but a smaller flower and blonde hair.  The blondie in me can't find in actual prom photos. via

This being said, I have no idea what I want for my wedding hair and makeup.  I'll probably end up with loose curls/waves that is half pinned back to allow for a veil.  I like makeup that is glamorous and not super natural looking but not crazy either.  I think girls like Marisa Miller, Lauren Conrad and Kate Middleton always looks beautiful.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Perfection.

Anyone in the Austin area know of a great hair/makeup team for weddings? I definitely want to have these services done on site so we can enjoy getting ready at a relaxed pace and not have to worry about rushing to the venue.

If you want to get more of a feel for the wedding, feel free to check out my pinterest board!  And I'd LOVE to hear any ideas you've got!

Love, 

Cait

Linking up with Mary from Little Bit of Class Little Bit of Sass and Kristyn from Chits & Giggles for Wedding Wednesday!

Sunday Social link-up

Hello friends! I love me some TV so I'm linking up with Neely & Ashley for The Sunday Social.

1. What was your favorite TV show as a kid?

Girl, I LOVED me some Full House.  I couldn't get enough of that show.  And God forbid my weekly TV allowance ran out during an episode. It was like the world was ending.

via

Sidenote: any one else out there have a TV allowance? We had this not-so-sweet box on the TV where each kid had his or her own code to enter to turn the TV on.  I think we got 60 minutes a week.  At the time, it was the devil.  Now I can totally see why my mom had that damn thing.

2. What is your current favorite TV show?

Embarrassingly there are too many to count so I'm just going to say Grey's Anatomy, Nashville, and anything on Bravo/History/Discovery/Style/E.  Love reality TV about quasi-famous peeps.

my favorite kind of trash via

3. What reality show would you NEVER do?

Naked & Afraid. No way no how not for a million dollars.  I watched a recent episode and there were HUGE poisonous snakes on an island.  In another episode the contestants had to swim a mile through shark infested waters to get from their drop off point to their challenge location.

Plus, YOU ARE NAKED with a STRANGER in the WILD for THREE WEEKS.  I do not want my naked business out there (too many scars from my insecure years) and I don't want my business rubbing against all sorts of wildlife.

via

HELL NO. 

ps - I'd love to get crazy skinny like they do.

pps- DO NOT google image search "naked and afraid". Just take my word.

pps - DO google "naked & afraid producer injury" or just go here (warning: gruesome!)

4. What reality show would you LOVE to do?

I always wanted to be on Real World but I think that ship has sailed since I'm 27.  If I was mega wealthy I would sign up for Real Housewives of Houston in a hot second.  I'd also do any kind of reality show that followed around nurses and doctors in a hospital.

via

5. What is the TV personality/character that you feel is most like you?

I'd love to say Hayden Panettiera/Juliette Barnes from Nashville but I can't sing or dance. And I'm not famous.  I'd like to be a cross between Meredith Grey and Christina Yang from Grey's Anatomy - smart, badasses in their field, married to McDreamy, overall awesome.  One day, folks.

#womancrushwednesday errday via

6. Which TV character would you want to date?

McDreamy.  And then we'd get married and adopt a little kid from Africa and have our own little McBaby and live in a gorgeous mansion/cabin hybrid in Seattle.  Not that I've thought about it at all.

via

What about you guys?  Any current favs out there? I'm looking for some good summer TV while my regular shows are on hiatus!

xoxo,

Cait

PS - It would make my day if you followed me on Bloglovin!  :)

picture post & SIBGSL

Not really feeling like writing much these days, with nursing school and some personal issues going on.  But I feel bad to have abandoned the internet for so long so I'm updating with some pics.  Hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July holiday!

PS - SIBGSL. What, you can't decipher my acronyms?  Sorry I've been gone so long. SIBGSL. Duuuhhhh.

Bought some crazy pants and a great shirt.  Recognize the dressing room?  pants // shirt

Testing day outfit... cute but comfy.  shirt // necklace (accessory auctions, old) // pants (Forever 21, old) // flats

Another test day option AND trying to look profesh for group presentations.  Ignore the dog photobomb. dress (J.Crew factory, old)  // belt (Gap, old) // blazer (Banana Republic, old) // flats

Obsessed over these sweet little bracelets.  fox // sparkly bangles (J. Crew Factory, old)

If you haven't had the Wings N Waffles from Breakfast Klub, then you aren't living right.  Get to Houston.  Call me.  Let's grab brunch.

Ready for my momma's birthday brunch! (Ignore my ugly feet) hat (Loft Outlet, old) // necklace // maxi (Old Navy, not online) // sandals (Tommy Hilfiger, via Marshalls)

Happy Birthday to my beautiful Mom! (Bet you thought she was my sister, right?)

My moms LOVES glitter cards.

Detoxing from the Wings N Waffles while studying.

Movie night with my BTF.  Saw The Heat and it was HILARIOUS! Go this weekend.  But don't bring the kiddos.

Celebrating the 4th with my handsome nephew.

The kid moves too fast to get a decent picture with my iPhone, but you still get the idea.  Half-naked toddler + fedora = melting heart.

Drinking pineapple-tinis from Superman cups... doesn't get more American than that!

Hopefully I won't stay away so long again before the next post.  Enjoy your weekends!

xoxo,
Cait

PS - If you got this far, my good friend IRL has a GREAT giveaway going on for a few more days. Go check it out and enter - super easy!  grrfeisty's giveaway!